TY - JOUR
T1 - Beyond the dependent variable problem : the methodological challenges of capturing productive and protective dimensions of social policy
AU - HUDSON, John
AU - KÜHNER, Stefan
PY - 2010/4/1
Y1 - 2010/4/1
N2 - The question of how best to account for the multidimensional character of welfare states has become an integral part of discussions on the so-called dependent variable problem within comparative welfare state research. In this paper, we discuss challenges from an attempt to capture productive and protective welfare state dimensions by means of several methodological techniques, namely Z-score standardisation, cluster analysis, factor analysis and fuzzy-set ideal type analysis. While we illustrate that a decision to use any one of these techniques has a substantial bearing on the produced findings, we specifically argue that fuzzy-set ideal type analysis offers considerable advantages over more traditional, statistically rooted approaches. This is particularly true if the observed dimensions are conceptually distinct and ‘antithetical’.
AB - The question of how best to account for the multidimensional character of welfare states has become an integral part of discussions on the so-called dependent variable problem within comparative welfare state research. In this paper, we discuss challenges from an attempt to capture productive and protective welfare state dimensions by means of several methodological techniques, namely Z-score standardisation, cluster analysis, factor analysis and fuzzy-set ideal type analysis. While we illustrate that a decision to use any one of these techniques has a substantial bearing on the produced findings, we specifically argue that fuzzy-set ideal type analysis offers considerable advantages over more traditional, statistically rooted approaches. This is particularly true if the observed dimensions are conceptually distinct and ‘antithetical’.
UR - http://commons.ln.edu.hk/sw_master/4773
U2 - 10.1017/S1474746409990327
DO - 10.1017/S1474746409990327
M3 - Journal Article (refereed)
SN - 1474-7464
VL - 9
SP - 167
EP - 179
JO - Social Policy and Society
JF - Social Policy and Society
IS - 2
ER -