When looking at Sisk’s methods throughout the book, it is clear he uses his literature review and analysis of organizations and institutions like the United Nations to support her claims. In addition to that, Sisk also looks at foreign aid and NGO’s in the peace building process. Sisk emphasizes the importance of women and minorities when rebuilding state governments and how it creates a more stabilized central government. Most of Sisk’s methodology was centered around the rebuilding of the state and its government and its capacity and legitimacy. He mentions Kristine Hoglund and how she describes a state cannot begin its efforts to legitimacy until the formation of an official electoral process is established. She also mentions how violence will not completely subside during this process. Sisk uses this to then further support his point about the importance of elections in state building. His research also focuses on cases of violence, including civil wars, to demonstrate how violence played a role in a fragile state. So while Sisk’s main focus is on his literature review, he also brings in some qualitative data as evidence as well.