1st Edition

Understanding American Legislatures The Need for Interpretive-Qualitative Research

By James M. Curry Copyright 2025
114 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

114 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

114 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

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... Read more

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 

Biography

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.