Your essay should consist of three sections, each with a subheading. First, you will provide a brief summary of the author’s study. This should be about 1 1⁄2 to 2 pages, but no longer than two pages. In this section you should answer the following: What is the author’s argument? That is, what is the outcome that the author is trying to explain (dependent variable), and which factors does the author claim explain the outcome (independent variables)? What is the theory (the causal logic linking the variables?) What is the methodology and the research design? (these are not the same thing). What empirical evidence does the author provide to support the argument?In the second and third section, you will critique the study. This means BOTH praising the strengths of the study (section 2) as well as pointing out potential weaknesses or areas for improvement (section 3). In the critique section, you should answer the following questions:Are the arguments, research design and variables of the study clearly stated? Are the hypotheses and theory clearly stated?Does the theory make logical sense?Are the research design and choice of cases appropriate?On what assumptions (stated or implicit) does the author’s argument rely? Are these reasonable and useful?Are the data used to support the theory appropriate and operationalized clearly?**What factor(s) has the author left out? What other reasons can you think of to explain the phenomenon he/she is trying to explain? Does the author take these factors into account or are they ignored? Provide at least one alternative theoretical explanation for the outcome.Are you convinced? Do you agree with the author’s conclusion? To what extent? Where might you disagree or not be totally convinced? What would you need to see to be convinced?Does the author answer the “so what” question? Is the study relevant?What future questions does this study raise? What more would you like to know? What would you suggest that the author do differently or do next?Is the paper well written in terms of organization and ease of understanding?Your essay should demonstrate that you understand the methodology and vocabulary of comparative politics.
