Explanation is different from ‘analysis’. It is closer to ‘theory’ than analysis. Theory stands on the solid foundation of explanation. However, analysis also seeks some explanatory law and moves towards theorisation. Explanation is the final stage of research. The goal of every scientific process is to arrive at an explanation of the phenomena under study. To explain is to elucidate the process which exhibits a certain phenomenon. It is discovery of a relationship between one phenomenon and another.
It makes it possible to understand the way the phenomenon in question was caused. Presenting of explanation is Political Science is not an easy task. There is a crisis of explanation in social sciences. It is not very easy to discover and isolate the explanatory factors which could give an account of the situation under study.
According to Meehan, explanation is an instrument that generates anticipation about the environment. It makes possible to have control over events in the environment by linking changes in the values of two or more variables according to rule. It seeks reasons how and why changes occur. An explanation focuses on the record of change that appears in descriptive accounts of the environment, seeking the reasons how and why changes occur.
There are seven stages in the process of explanation:
(i) Concept,
(ii) Indicators,
(iii) Measurement,
(iv) Description,
(v) Classification,
(vi) Forecast or expectation,
(vii) Explanation, and
(viii) Control or change of environment.
Structurally, it consists of a set of symbols or variables and a set of rules. The set of rules relates those symbols to empirical observations. It is a closed logical structure or calculus consisting of rules for manipulating the symbols.
Structure:
Meehan enumerates five problems in the basic structure of explanation:
1. The phenomena to be explained;
2. The logical apparatus required for explanation,
3. The transformation rules that link the logical calculus or apparatus to empirical observation;
4. The isomorphism between the loaded calculus and the situation; and
5. The problems involved in the use of well established explanation to deal with a particular phenomenon.
Selection of events or phenomena for explanation is closely connected with evaluation. The formal logic underlying an explanation is known as calculus or logical structure. It generates justified expectations within its prescribed boundaries. The calculus has the power to force a conclusion or compel acceptance of specified expectations relating to the effect of changing the value of one variable in an interrelated set.
The key to the process of explanation is the transfer of expectations from within a formal calculus to the observed environment. But the calculus or the logical structure must be closed and finite. Only empirical observations or research methodology determines its shape, form, and validity. Calculus should be loaded with concepts having empirical relevance and have isomorphism or identity with essentials of the situation or event.
The size and complexity of the calculus depend on the purpose and capacity of the user. His conceptual framework requires him to select a set of factors or variables from the environment to be accounted for. Much depends on the way in which he conceptualise and explains the event.
The formal calculus must fit the situation. Its symbols should be assigned empirical meaning underlying the event or situation. The calculus or logic of explanation, in this manner, would be able to show significance of the event by making its implicit logic express and explicit. If the description of the situation and the rules of transformation or interaction are applied correctly, the venture would succeed in its purpose.
Explanation, according to Meehan, provides justifiable expectations with reference to the environment and suggests ways in which man can intervene to alter the course of events to conform to his own desires. It would, thus, be able to prove compatible with existing knowledge and also with past experiences of his history. Wherever possible it can be applied and experimented in some laboratory or situation on the pattern of natural sciences.