14. Research methodologies in social policy and politics 

Christopher Deeming (University of Strathclyde)

Kenneth Nelson (University of Oxford) 

Research methodologies in social policy and politics In this stream, we look at innovation in social policy and political analysis and we take stock of recent developments, building on recent reviews of the field (Yerkes, Nelson and Nieuwenhuis 2022; Ferragina and Deeming 2023). Regression techniques were foundational and continue to proliferate. Today, however, we see a growing interest in qualitative analysis, and a trend for mixed and multiple methods, and the use of experiments. The pursuit of causality, while highly valuable for scholars, is perhaps less visible in studies reported in scholarly journals than recent discussion and debate might suggest. In this stream we consider theoretical and methodological trends and exemplar studies demonstrating innovations, whether theoretical, analytical or methodological, we are interested in the tools necessary to engage in analysis. The existence of a stable growing trend in the use of method warrants further scholarly engagement at 23rd ESPAnet Annual Conference.  

We welcome scholarly papers which integrate innovative theoretical insights and rigorous empirical analyses, as well as innovative contributions incorporating diversity perspectives that speak to the development of social policy analysis across the growing range of methods and techniques:

- Regression Techniques, including Linear and Logistic Regression, Multi-Level Models (MLM), Pooled Time Series (PTS) and Panels; 

- Case-Studies and Comparative Historical Analysis (CHA);

- Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and Factorial Techniques including Latent Models; 

- Cluster Analysis; 

 -Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and Fuzzy-Sets; 

- Mixed- and Multi- Methods; Natural Experiments (NEs), difference-in-differences (DiD); 

- Big Data – algorithms, sensor data, transactional data, administrative data etc. 

- Methods for examining textual data and computational linguistics for advancing qualitative methods. 

- Theoretical work and reflections on method.   

Yerkes, M., K. Nelson and R. Nieuwenhuis (eds) (2022) Changing European Societies: The Role for Social Policy Research, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, https://www.elgaronline.com/edcollbook-oa/book/9781802201710/9781802201710.xml. Ferragina, E. and C. Deeming (2023) Comparative Mainstreaming? Mapping the Uses of the Comparative Method in Social Policy, Sociology and Political Science since the 1970s, Journal of European Social Policy, 33(1): 132–147, https://doi.org/10.1177/09589287221128438.