
Understanding American Legislatures
The Need for Interpretive-Qualitative Research
James M. Curry(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 5. June 2025
Book
Hardback
96 pages
978-1-032-41212-2 (ISBN)
Description
In this passionately argued book, James M. Curry introduces legislative scholars to the value and importance of interpretive research. His field guide for getting started on using an interpretive approach is designed so that the reader can understand a new methodological approach, not just new methods or "tools" within a singular approach.
Weaving in his own story from student to scholar, Curry begins by demystifying the importance and value of interpretive research. He later provides background on what interpretive methodologies are and how they differ from the quantitative and positivist approaches that dominate the field. Focusing primarily on the study of the US Congress and the 50 American state legislatures, Curry employs Richard Fenno's "soaking and poking" language as a bridge to the language of interpretivism, aiming to show legislative researchers how they can connect between the two and begin to use the richer terms of the latter in place of the former.
Understanding American Legislatures is a must-read contribution to the study of legislatures and our discourse about methods in American politics.
Weaving in his own story from student to scholar, Curry begins by demystifying the importance and value of interpretive research. He later provides background on what interpretive methodologies are and how they differ from the quantitative and positivist approaches that dominate the field. Focusing primarily on the study of the US Congress and the 50 American state legislatures, Curry employs Richard Fenno's "soaking and poking" language as a bridge to the language of interpretivism, aiming to show legislative researchers how they can connect between the two and begin to use the richer terms of the latter in place of the former.
Understanding American Legislatures is a must-read contribution to the study of legislatures and our discourse about methods in American politics.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Postgraduate and Undergraduate
Illustrations
1 s/w Zeichnung, 1 s/w Abbildung
1 Line drawings, black and white; 1 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
331 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-41212-2 (9781032412122)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
06/2025
Routledge
€49.99
Available for download

E-Book
06/2025
Routledge
€49.99
Available for download

Book
06/2025
1st Edition
Routledge
€56.30
Shipment within 10-20 days
Person
James M. Curry is a professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame. Curry's research focuses on US politics and policymaking, especially the US Congress. He is the author of Legislating in the Dark (2015, University of Chicago Press) and The Limits of Party (2020, with Frances E. Lee, University of Chicago Press). Previously, he worked on Capitol Hill in the offices of Congressman Daniel Lipinski and the House Appropriations Committee.
Content
Series Editors' Foreword. Introduction. Chapter 1: Why Legislative Studies Needs More Interpretive Research Chapter 2: Why Interpretive Approaches Are Underutilized and What to Do About It Chapter 3: How to Do Interpretive Research on Legislatures Chapter 4: Looking Ahead. Legislative Primer