"The state of experimental research in IR: An analytical survey" by Natalie Florea Hudson and Michael J. Butler
 

Political Science

The state of experimental research in IR: An analytical survey

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The purpose of this review essay is to examine the use of experimental methods and its contributions to international studies research. Following a general discussion of the experimental approach, including the advantages and disadvantages of experimentation in International Relations (IR), this review moves to a categorized discussion of the ways in which experimental methods have contributed to the field of international studies. By invoking economist Alvin Roth's three purposes of experiments - searching for facts, speaking to theorists, and influencing policy debates - this classification scheme helps to identify the overarching purposes of a wide variety of experiments in the field. However, this review seeks to move beyond merely presenting a basic review of the copious experimental literature by also providing an analytical assessment of the function that experimentation serves in IR; that is, to identify and elaborate on experimental research that serves an integrative function, as a bridge across the multiple divides in the landscape of IR. To this end, we introduce a second and original classification framework that allows us to profile in detail a number of singularly significant experimental studies. We then conclude the analysis by highlighting a set of "growth areas" for experimental research that can maintain and expand the already significant contributions of experimental methods to our field. © 2010 International Studies Association.

Publication Title

International Studies Review

Publication Date

6-2010

Volume

12

Issue

2

First Page

165

Last Page

192

ISSN

1521-9488

DOI

10.1111/j.1468-2486.2010.00927.x

Keywords

experimental methods, international studies research, Alvin Roth

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