Seeing beyond the Datasets: The Unexploited Structure of Electoral and Institutional Data

Autor/inn/en	Mustillo, Thomas; Springer, John A.
Titel	Seeing beyond the Datasets: The Unexploited Structure of Electoral and Institutional Data
Quelle	In: International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 18 (2015) 4, S.349-365 (17 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1364-5579
DOI	10.1080/13645579.2014.895288
Schlagwörter	Social Scientists; Data; Models; Concept Mapping; Democracy; Politics; Political Affiliation; Elections; Databases + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Social scientist; Sozialwissenschaftler; Daten; Analogiemodell; Concept Map; Demokratie; Politik; Politisches Interesse; Election; Wahl; Datenbank
Abstract	We propose relational data modeling as a tool for replacing the ad hoc and uncoordinated approaches commonly used throughout the social sciences to gather, store, and disseminate data. We demonstrate relational data modeling using global electoral and political institutional data. We define a relational data model as a map of concepts, their attributes, and the relationships between concepts developed using a formal language and according to a set of rules. To demonstrate the methodology, we design a simple relational data model of six concepts: countries, parties, elections, districts, institutions, and election results. Furthermore, we introduce a data model to solve the particularly vexing issue of party discontinuity (party splits, mergers, and alliances). We show how the solution facilitates computational tasks, such as the calculation of core measures of political phenomena (ex: electoral volatility). Ultimately, a relational data approach will play a central role in collective investments to develop advanced data capabilities, and thereby advance the accuracy, pace, and transparency of scholarship in the social sciences. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01