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Descriptor Details
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Descriptor Title
Introduction to Political Science Research Methods
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C-ID Number
160
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Units
3.0
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Hours
0000
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Date of Last Revision
6/7/2022 04:04:51 AM GMT+0000
General Description
This course surveys the research methods employed in political science. Research design, experimental procedures, descriptive methods, instrumentation, and the collection, interpretation, and reporting of research data, and the ethics of research are introduced.
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Advisories
- Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, any introductory level social or behavioral science course
- Elementary Statistics (C-ID MATH 110 or C-ID SOCI 125)
Content
- History and development of the empirical study of politics.
- The scientific method.
- Theories, hypotheses, variables, and units.
- Conceptualization, operationalization and measurement of political concepts.
- Elements of research design including the logic of sampling.
- Qualitative and quantitative research methods and means of analysis
- Research ethics.
Lab Activities
N/A
Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Explain the basic principles of the scientific method.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between theory and research.
- Demonstrate knowledge of general research designs, experimental and non-experimental (observational) methods, and standard research practices.
- Select and defend research designs and data collection procedures appropriate to test hypotheses.
- Critically evaluate reports of research findings, assess the generalizability of research results, and synthesize a body of research findings.
- Explain the ethical treatment of participants in research and the institutional requirements for conducting research.
Evaluation Methods
May include as appropriate:
In-class or take-home examinations
Research papers or projects
Written assignments
Analytical papers
Simulations
Oral presentations
Participation in class discussions and debates
Textbooks
Any college-level introduction to research methods in political science or the social sciences textbook including, but not limited to
Babbie. The Basics of Social Research
Babbie. The Practice of Social Research
Brians, Willnat, Manheim, and Rich. Empirical Political Analysis
Forestiere, Carolyn. 2016. Beginning Research in Political Science. 1 edition. Oxford University Press.
Franco, Josh, Charlotte Lee, Kau Vue, Dino Bozonelos, Masahiro Omae, and Steven Cauchon. 2020. Introduction to Political Science Research Methods – An Open Education Resource Textbook. eBook – Adobe PDF. 1st Edition. https://ipsrm.com/.
Johnson and Reynolds. Political Science Research Methods
Kellstedt, Paul M., and Guy D. Whitten. 2018. The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108131704.
Monroe. Essentials of Political Research
Salkind. Exploring Research.
Salkind. Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics
May also include supplementary materials such as, but not limited to, primary sources, readers, workbooks, research reports, statistical software, etc.
Franco, Josh. 2021. Polimetrics: A Stata Companion to Introduction to Political Science Research Methods. EBook – Adobe PDF. 1st Edition. https://ipsrm.com/polimetrics/.
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