UC Irvine

Researchers talk past each other due to the putative distinction between explanation and understanding and inevitable differences that arise across levels of analysis. To overcome these barriers, key concepts such as ontology, epistemology and methodology are defined. Following this, an attempt is made to elaborate upon some of the methodological implications, concentrating on historical narrative at the macrolevel, process tracing at the mesolevel, and participant observation at the microlevel. Finally, constructivists of all persuasions are urged to recognize the production of scholarship that carefully uses and evaluates evidence.