Using Words as Data in the Study of the French Political Elite

Authors: Dyson S.B.; Billordo L.L.

Source: French Politics, Volume 2, Number 1, April 2004 , pp. 111-123(13)

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Abstract:

This essay states the principles and procedures of the ‘words as data’ approach to the study of political leadership, and illustrates the value of the technique through the analysis of materials produced by Charles de Gaulle and Jacques Chirac. The ‘words as data’ approach offers an escape from two methodological problems: (1) the lack of access to elites, and (2) the subjective nature of elite studies. In addition, the development of computer-assisted textual analysis software radically reduces the labour costs associated with context analytical approaches. The benefit to scholars of French politics is the generation of reliable, quantified data, which can aid in understanding the role of leaders in the French polity.French Politics (2004) 2, 111–123. doi:10.1057/palgrave.fp.8200054

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.fp.8200054

Affiliations: 1: aDepartment of Political Science, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4880, USA., Email: sbdyson@mail.wsu.edu

Publication date: 2004-04-01