Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Researcher in the United Nations: Evolution of a Research Strategy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Chadwick F. Alger

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs on Pioneers in Science and Practice ((BRIEFSPIONEER,volume 7))

  • 399 Accesses

Abstract

My main purpose in the ensuing pages is to indicate how a research strategy evolved as I became progressively more involved in trying to understand the dynamics of international organizations. The account is presented in some detail because, in retrospect, it illustrates the large extent to which our research strategies are shaped by our subject matter even as they also shape our findings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    This chapter was published first as: "The Researcher in the United Nations: Evolution of a Research Strategy," in James N. Rosenau (ed.), In Search of Global Patterns. New York: The Free Press, 1976, 58–72. This text is republished with the permission of the author.

  2. 2.

    This argument is made more fully in Alger (1963a).

  3. 3.

    This discussion is extended in Alger (1970a).

  4. 4.

    For a more general assessment of the minimum extent to which systematic research into international organizations has been undertaken, see Alger (1970b).

  5. 5.

    These initial impressions and questions were presented in Alger (1961a).

  6. 6.

    This study was published as Alger (1963b).

  7. 7.

    The two sessions are compared in Alger (1969).

  8. 8.

    Nevertheless, the Geneva experience stimulated a systematic comparative study of documentary records of debate (Alger 1971b, 1973).

  9. 9.

    The concerns presented here have led to an effort to develop data on the international relations of cities, using Columbus, Ohio, as a ‘laboratory’. Procedures developed in this project are now being replicated in several other cities. See Alger (1974, 1975).

  10. 10.

    For further discussion see Alger and Lyons (1974).

  11. 11.

    See Alger (1974, 1975) for one method by which international relations scholars can help to extend local awareness, comprehension, and involvement in international issues.

References

  • Alger. Chadwick F. 1961a. “Non-resolution Consequences of the United Nations and Their Effect on International Conflict.” Journal of Conflict Resolution 5 (Jun): 128–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alger. Chadwick F. 1961b. “Private Conversation in Public Diplomacy: A Microscopic Analysis of One Hundred and Twenty- four Minutes in the United Nations Security Council” Mimeo. Evanston: Northwestern Univ., Program of Graduate Training and Research in International Relations.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alger. Chadwick F. 1963a. “Comparison of Intranational and International Politics.” American Political Science Review 57 (Jun): 407–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alger. Chadwick F. 1963b. “UN Participation as a Learning Experience.” Public Opinion Quarterly 27 (Fall): 411–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alger. Chadwick F. 1965. “Personal Contact in Intergovernmental Organizations.” In International Behavior, ed. Herbert Kelman, pp. 523–47. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alger. Chadwick F. 1968. “Interaction in a Committee of the United Nations General Assembly.” In Quantitative International Politics, ed. J. David Singer, pp. 51–84. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alger. Chadwick F. 1969. “Interaction and Negotiation in a Committee of the United Nations General Assembly.” In International Politics and Foreign Policy (rev. ed.), ed. James N. Rosenau, pp. 483–97. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alger. Chadwick F. 1970a. “Methodological Innovation in Research on International Organizations.” In Political Science Annual, 1969–1970, ed. James A. Robinson, 2: 209–40. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alger. Chadwick F. 1970b. “Research on Research: A Decade of Quantitative and Field Research on International Organizations.” International Organization 24 (Summer): 414–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alger. Chadwick F. 1971a. “Negotiation, Regional Groups, Interaction, and Public Debate in the Development of Consensus in the United Nations General Assembly.” In The Analysis of International Politics, ed. James N. Rosenau, Vincent Davis, and Maurice A. East, pp. 278–98. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alger. Chadwick F. 1971b. “Decisions lo Undertake New Activities in Assemblies and Councils of the U.N. System.” In The United Nations, ed. Edwin H. Fedder, pp. 165–88. St. Louis: Univ. of Missouri, Center for International Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alger. Chadwick F. 1973. “Decision-Making in Public Bodies of International Organizations (1LO, WHO, WMO, UN): A Preliminary Research Report.” In Political Decision-Making Processes, ed. Dusan Sidjanski, pp. 205–29. Amsterdam: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alger. Chadwick F. 1974. “The International Relations of Cities: Creating Images of Alternative Presents.” Mimeo. Columbus: Ohio State Univ. Mershon Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alger. Chadwick F. 1975. “Your City in the World: The World in Your City: Discovering the International Activities and Foreign Policies of People, Groups and Organizations in Your Community.” Mimeo. Columbus: Ohio State Univ., Mershon Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alger. Chadwick F and Gene M. Lyons. 1974. “Social Science as a Transnational System.” International Social Science Journal 26, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Best, Gary. 1960. “Diplomacy in the United Nations.” Ph.D. dissertation, Northwestern Univ.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Political Science and Mershon Center, The Ohio State University, 1501 Neil Ave 2674, Columbus, OH, 43201-2602, USA

    Chadwick F. Alger

Authors
  1. Chadwick F. Alger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chadwick F. Alger .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Alger, C.F. (2014). The Researcher in the United Nations: Evolution of a Research Strategy. In: Chadwick F. Alger. SpringerBriefs on Pioneers in Science and Practice, vol 7. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-00509-6_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation