The Communication of Ideas across Subfields in Political Science

Content Provider	Scilit
Author	Graham, Erin R. Shipan, Charles R. Volden, Craig
Copyright Year	2014
Description	What factors inhibit or facilitate cross-subfield conversations in political science? This article draws on diffusion scholarship to gain insight into cross-subfield communication. Diffusion scholarship represents a case where such communication might be expected, given that similar diffusion processes are analyzed in American politics, comparative politics, and international relations. We identify nearly 800 journal articles published on diffusion within political science between 1958 and 2008. Using network analysis we investigate the degree to which three “common culprits”—terminology, methodological approach, and journal type—influence levels of integration. We find the highest levels of integration among scholars using similar terms to describe diffusion processes, sharing a methodological approach (especially in quantitative scholarship), and publishing in a common set of subfield journals. These findings shed light on when cross-subfield communication is likely to occur with ease and when barriers may prove prohibitive.
Related Links	https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/FA975021128BC77D581C770308EA15BA/S1049096514000407a.pdf/div-class-title-the-communication-of-ideas-across-subfields-in-political-science-div.pdf
Ending Page	476
Page Count	9
Starting Page	468
ISSN	10490965
e-ISSN	15375935
DOI	10.1017/s1049096514000407
Journal	PS: Political Science & Politics
Issue Number	02
Volume Number	47
Language	English
Publisher	Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publisher Date	2014-04-01
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Political Science & Politics Political Science Cross Subfield Communication
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Sociology and Political Science