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The Difficulty of Measuring Institutions: a Methodological Approach to the Comparative Analysis of Institutions

Author

Listed:
  • Patricia Frericks

    (University of Kassel)

  • Julia Höppner

    (University of Kassel)

  • Ralf Och

    (Hamburg University)

Abstract

In the social sciences it is hardly contested that “institutions matter”. Consequently the analysis of differences and similarities of institutions should be a routine task. Prevailing methods to the measurement of institutions are however problematic, in particular when they have to deal with different levels of measurement. To overcome this, in this paper we present an innovative method to the quantification of qualitative institutional data. We do this by, first, developing benchmarks for comparison based on Weberian ideal types. Then we identify and operationalise the dimensions and indicators to a nuanced measurement of institutions, after which we apply a careful and differentiated scoring, weighting and aggregation procedure in order to guarantee the highest standards of comparability, transparency and reliability of the method. Finally, we demonstrate our method by applying it to the analysis of institutional individualisation in European welfare institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia Frericks & Julia Höppner & Ralf Och, 2018. "The Difficulty of Measuring Institutions: a Methodological Approach to the Comparative Analysis of Institutions," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 137(3), pages 847-865, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:137:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s11205-017-1638-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-017-1638-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jon Kvist, 2006. "Diversity, Ideal Types and Fuzzy Sets in Comparative Welfare State Research," Springer Books, in: Benoît Rihoux & Heike Grimm (ed.), Innovative Comparative Methods for Policy Analysis, chapter 0, pages 167-184, Springer.
    2. Voigt, Stefan, 2013. "How (Not) to measure institutions," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 9(1), pages 1-26, March.
    3. Kvist, Jon, 2007. "Fuzzy set ideal type analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 60(5), pages 474-481, May.
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    5. Voigt, Stefan, 2013. "How (not) to measure institutions: a reply to Robinson and Shirley," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 9(1), pages 35-37, March.
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    8. Crawford, Sue E. S. & Ostrom, Elinor, 1995. "A Grammar of Institutions," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 89(3), pages 582-600, September.
    9. Joakim Palme & Walter Korpi, 1998. "The Paradox of Redistribution and Strategies of Equality: Welfare State Institutions, Inequality and Poverty in the Western Countries," LIS Working papers 174, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
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