Method = the technique of gathering and testing knowledge. The main methods:
1. Speculative/philosophical method — reasoning from first principles about justice and the good state (Plato's Republic) — grand theory, not data.
2. Historical method — tracing institutions through time: how did the office of Prime Minister evolve? Strength: context; weakness: facts without theory.
3. Institutional/legal method — formal study of constitutions, statutes and organs (describing the constitution of Nepal clause by clause). Strength: precision about rules; weakness: ignores how rules actually operate.
4. Comparative method — comparing systems to extract patterns (Nepal's federalism vs India's vs Switzerland's) — the foundation of modern political science.
5. Observational/case-study method — fieldwork on one election, one parliament, one movement.
6. Survey and statistical (quantitative) method — polls, voting data, indices (turnout by district; women's representation across legislatures).
7. Content analysis — systematic coding of texts: manifestos, speeches, judgments.
8. Experimental/simulation & game theory — modelling strategic behaviour (coalition bargaining; prisoner's dilemma).
9. Interdisciplinary borrowing — economics, sociology, psychology methods (see 1.3.3).