Introduction to Political Science Research Methods / Josh Franco, [and many others].

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Franco, Josh, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political statistics.

Political science--Research--Methodology.

Political science.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xxiii, 181 pages) : illustrations

Place of Publication:

Mountain View, California : Creative Commons, 2020.

Summary:

This textbook surveys the research methods employed in political science. It includes chapters that cover: 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; and research ethic.

Contents:

[1.] Introduction. Welcome The social network of political science Organization of the book Analyzing journal articles Research paper project management

[2.] History and development of the empirical study of politics. Brief history of the empirical study of politics The institutional wave The behavioral wave Currents: Qualitative versus quantitative Currents: Normative and positive views

[3.] The scientific method. Philosophy of science What is the scientific method? Applying the scientific method to political phenomena

[4.] Theories, hypotheses, variables, and units. Correlation and causation Theory construction Generating hypotheses from theories Exploring variables Units of observation and units of analysis Causal modeling

[5.] Conceptualization, operationalization, and measurement. Conceptualization in political science Operationalization Measurement

[6.] Elements of research design. Introduction: Building with a blueprint Types of design: Experimental and nonexperimental designs Components of design: Sampling Components of design: Observations

[7.] Qualitative methods. What are qualitative methods? Interviews Exploring documentary sources Ethnographic research Case studies

[8.] Quantitative research methods and means of analysis. What are quantitative methods? Making sense of data Introduction to statistical inference and hypothesis testing Interpreting statistical tables in political science articles

[9.] Research ethics. Ethics in political research Ethics and human "subjects" Navigating qualitative data collection Research ethics in quantitative research Ethically analyzing and sharing co-generated knowledge

[10.] Conclusion. Congratulations!

The path forward

Frontiers of political science research methods

How to contribute to this OER.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.