Key factors for the success of Western Europe

As matter of fact, it was Western Europe that has the most advanced civilization as compared to America and Africa. Western Europe constitutes about 8% of the earth's landmass. Between the 14th century and the 19th century, Europe had already colonized 80% of the entire continent. The success of Western Europe does not result from the inherent European cultural superiority. Through the political fragmentation, there was productive competition in the Western European countries. The rulers in this region valued competition and always wished for productive intellectuals and artisans to work in the industries (Colantone & Stanig, 2019). Therefore, industrialization and civilization played a key role in the success of Western Europe. This paper provides the methodology to be used in this research paper.

This is a descriptive study because it tries to identify the characteristics of a problem by describing it. For instance, this research looks at the key factor that led to the success of Western Europe. Such a subject matter cannot be described entirely in the details. Therefore, it requires a researcher to select facts that will occur. Descriptive research approaches answer research questions of what, when, and where but not why. More so, the facts, in this case, require the researcher to gather them according to pre-determined criteria as well as demonstrating the relationships of interest. Descriptive studies provide a generalized understanding of a problem, which can also help understand other specific problems. For instance, for this descriptive study, the research intends to illustrate how Western Europe was successful compared to other parts of Europe by exploring the factors for the success (Lans and van der Voordt, 2021).

Even though the qualitative research method can be used in descriptive research approaches, quantitative methodologies are essential. Therefore, a careful research design should be done to ensure that the results provided are valid and reliable. In this case, the research will explore the factors that led to Western Europe's success. That implies that the quantitative methodology to be used will be case studies. Case studies describe the characteristics of specific subjects like groups, people, events, or organizations. Moreover, case studies do not gather large volumes of data to identify patterns across time or location; instead, they are used to gather detailed data essential in identifying characteristics of a narrowly defined subject (Nayak & Singh, 2021). Case studies are essential in descriptive research approaches because they do not describe generalized facts but focus on unusual and interesting cases aimed at challenging assumptions, adding complexity, or disclosing something new about the research topic. Therefore, in this case, I employ various case studies about Western Europe's success that aims at challenging the common assumption of industrialization and colonization. This will provide new information about the topic and add to the complexity of the Success issue in Western Europe.

Research studies can use primary or secondary data. Today, data is becoming more accessible to researchers across the world. However, the practicality of employing secondary data in research is becoming prevalent in the current world of research. Secondary data are essential, but most of them entail questionable authenticity as compared to primary data. There are two types of data; primary and secondary data. Primary data is collected directly from the available sources of data. This kind of data is authentic, reliable, and objective. Due to the high cost of implementing the primary data process, many researchers do not collect data. This study requires using some of the available and existing primary data sources such as surveys, observation, case studies, and questionnaires.

Secondary data refers to data collected in the past by someone but made available in archives and other data resources for other people to use. Secondary data were once primary data; however, they can be regarded as secondary data when used by a third party. Secondary data is easily available and accessible to researchers and individuals because many people share them in public spaces. Caution should be taken when using this type of data because they are general and tailored according to the researcher's needs. For this study, secondary data will be available in libraries, published books, and journal articles, which elaborate more about the factors that led to Western Europe's success.

Western Europe succeeded because of three key factors, including civilization, industrialization, and embracing technology.

Variable: civilization, industrialization, and embracing technology led to the success of Western Europe.

Colantone, I., & Stanig, P. (2019). The surge of economic nationalism in Western Europe. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 33(4), 128-51.

Lans, W. and van der Voordt, D., 2021. Descriptive research. [online] Available at: <https://repository.tudelft.nl/islandora/object/uuid:3585713f-1be1-4321-82f3-44888b70371a>

Nayak, J. K., & Singh, P. (2021). Fundamentals of Research Methodology Problems and Prospects. SSDN Publishers & Distributors.

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