Methodology

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1.4 In Chapter 4, I will explore China’s sharp power operation in Taiwan.

1.5 Methodology

1.4.1 Research Method

This paper will be proceeded with Case Study method to investigate China’s sharp power influences in Taiwan. What are the impacts of China’s sharp power in Taiwan’s society? How does China wield sharp power to influence Taiwan? And, who are the targets of sharp power’s infiltrating strategy?

Case study researchers believe that a case is a description of the real situation, usually written in words to stimulate the reader’s deliberation, to get a clear understanding of the facts, the problem and to feasible solutions. Yin (1984) argues that the case study is defined as: a case study is a practical way of investigation, when the boundary between the phenomenon being studied and real life is not clear, the current situation is investigated through evidence from various sources. And the case studies must grasp the three principles:

(1) Using multiple sources of evidence; (2) Establishing a database of case study; (3) Maintaining the relevance of the evidence. Gillham (2000) argues that there are some fundamental elements of a case study: “a unit of human activity embedded in the real world;

which can only be studied or understood in context; which exists in the here and now; that merges in with its context so that precise boundaries are difficult to draw” (p.1). Liu (2002) claims that a case study has the following characteristics: 1) Engaged in the study of phenomena in natural setting; 2) Use a variety of data collections methods; 3) The analysis unit can be a single case of multiple cases; 4) Understand the complexity of each case; 5) Case study method is more suitable for problems that are still in the stage of exploration with less previous study; 6) No variable manipulation, experimental design or control; 7)

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Study current phenomena to solve problems at present; 8) Case studies are more advisable for studying the “why” and “how” questions, which can be used as the basis for future research; 9) There is a considerable relationships between the quality of the research and the integrating capability of the researcher; 10) Change the research object and data collection methods may develop some new hypotheses; 11) Case study does not involves presupposed dependent variable, or independent variable research setting.

Merriam (1988, p.38-40) classified case study research as following 3 types:

(1) Descriptive Case Study: Mainly in the description of the research target, commonly used in innovation and unique situations, therefore, the information provided is described in detail as the basis for future research comparisons, assumptions and theoretical establishment.

(2) Interpretive Case Study: Also known as analytical research, summarizing data for analysis, explain and develop theory.

(3) Evaluative Case Study: Including description, interpretation, and evaluation as the final stage, thus, the aforementioned steps are also included.

For the case studies in social, political and economic fields, regardless of “case experimental method” in quantitative research, researchers often cross the lines of classification, combine descriptive, interpretive, plus evaluations as complete procedures for research, as Evaluative Case Study method to improve the validity and readability of the research report.

Combining the above scholars and the master thesis’s perspectives, the case study research method is applicable to exploratory research when there is no/ less study about

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the topic. In order to ensure the integrity and validity of the research, the case data should be obtained from multiple sources, and finally propose proposition and hypothesis for subsequent research. Currently, there are only few reports that are aimed at the infiltration of China’s sharp power in Taiwan. It is necessary to collect the secondary data as much as possible to gain a comprehensive understanding of the ways and targets of China’s penetration.

Therefore, this research will be conducted as Case Study method, and proceed with Evaluative Case Study approach, which will include 1) the description of the infiltrating situation in Taiwan, 2) the interpretation of the sharp power strategies of the CCP, and the evaluation to the whole circumstances in the final stage.

1.4.2 Case Selection

According to the literatures and news reports, Taiwan is the place that suffered the most severely penetration by China’s sharp power, especially the report from V-dem regarding the false information influence, Taiwan is ranking at the first place to suffered the most disinformation from the foreign government. Although Taiwan’s connection with China still has a rather complicated and embarrassing historical relationship, in fact, since the KMT (Kuomintang) government retreated to Taiwan in 1949, with the political reform and opening up, Taiwan, has its own government, territory, population, and diplomatic capability. Taiwan also established its own democratic system and political structures.

However, while we are enjoying this beautiful democratic system, China has never given up its United Front tactics toward Taiwan, and with the time proceeding, it revised and advanced the United Front strategy in accordance with the present international situation.

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According to the Appendix 1, news collected concerning sharp power influence worldwide. Taiwan was mentioned 7 times out of 20 news articles. Like Hong Kong, Taiwan is at the battlefront of China’s sharp power penetration. Sharp power, as a part of the United Front strategy to Taiwan, can not be ignored. It is hoped that by straightening out the cases, point out the loophole where the country is threatened by foreign forces, the government can exert its “comprehensive power” to resist further subversion. In the society, the mass population should also have a better understanding on national defense, prevent Taiwan from further subversive actions.