Political Science Research In Practice

Nothing rings truer to those teaching political science research methods: students hate taking this course. Tackle the challenge and turn the standard research methods teaching model on its head with Political Science Research in Practice. Akan Malici and Elizabeth S. Smith engage students first with pressing political questions and then demonstrate how a researcher has gone about answering them, walking them through real political science research that contributors have conducted. Through the exemplary use of a comparative case study, field research, interviews, textual and interpretive research, statistical research, survey research, public policy and program evaluation, content analysis, and field experiments, each chapter introduces students to a method of empirical inquiry through a specific topic that will spark their interest and curiosity. Each chapter shows the process of developing a research question, how and why a particular method was used, and the rewards and challenges discovered along the way. Students can better appreciate why we need a science of politics—why methods matter—with these first-hand, issue-based discussions. The second edition now includes: Two completely new chapters on field experiments and a chapter on the textual/interpretative method. New topics, ranging from the Arab Spring to political torture to politically sensitive research in China to social networking and voter turnout. Revised and updated "Exercises and Discussion Questions" sections. Revised and updated "Interested to Know More" and "Recommended Resources" sections.

When embarking on a new research project students face the same core research design issues. This volume provides readers with practical guidelines for both qualitative and quantitative designs, discusses the typical trade-offs involved in choosing them and is rich in examples from actual research.

This book explains how field research contributes value to political science by exploring scholars' experiences, detailing exemplary practices, and asserting key principles.

Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills, the market leading textbook in political research methods, is essential reading for students taking a module in research methods as part of a politics or international relations degree. Its accessible, step-by-step approach covers the entire research methods process, equipping students with the necessary skills to successfully conduct their own independent study and research. With coverage of both quantitative and qualitative methods, the book begins by guiding readers on how to come up with a research question, and leads the reader right through to writing up a final report. The book also includes chapters on theory, methodology, and the philosophy of social science, which are fully revised for the third edition to include up-to-date 'real world' examples, such as Gerber and Green's survey on political attitudes or Wantchekon's study on clientelism in Benin. These sections help students to understand essential debates around research methods, as well as sharing practical guidance. The easy to understand language and straightforward approach of Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills help students get to grips with particularly complex topics relating to epistemological, ontological and mythological research, and quantitative questions such as 'what is data?'. The third edition reflects key areas of development in the field, such as the increased importance of ethics, and changes in digital research. The book is also enhanced with a range of engaging learning features including chapter summaries, end-of-chapter conclusions and questions, and a guide to further reading, created to reinforce students' understanding of research methods and further explore specific approaches to research.

Understand the “how” and the “why” behind research in political science. Step by step, Political Science Research Methods walks students through the logic of research design, carefully explaining how researchers choose which method to employ. The Eighth Edition of this trusted resource offers a greater emphasis on the ways in which particular methods are used by undergraduates, expanded coverage of the role of the Internet in research and analysis, and more international examples. Practice makes perfect. In the new fourth edition of the accompanying workbook, Working with Political Science Research Methods, students are given the perfect opportunity to practice each of the methods presented in the core text. This helpful supplement breaks each aspect of the research process into manageable parts and features new exercises and updated data sets. A solutions manual with answers to the workbook is available to adopters.

Practice makes perfect. This new, Fifth Edition of Working with Political Science Research Methods continues to support student learning by offering the perfect opportunity to practice each of the methods presented in the core text. Designed to be paired with the #em /em#olitical Science Research Methods 9th edition chapter-for-chapter, the workbook breaks out each aspect of the research process into manageable parts and features new exercises and updated data sets. More than half of the book′s exercises are new or updated and feature more international examples, greater focus on qualitative research methods, and directly correlates with the text′s more condensed layout. A solutions manual with answers to the workbook is available to adopters.

Research design in political science has become too technical, mechanical, and uninvolved, argues David A. Bositis as he explains the need for an alternative design regimen that provides the means for real engagement in empirical research. Bositis’ view offers a theoretical, imaginative, manipulative, and engaging alternative approach to political science research. His text is divided into three main parts. Part 1, "Epistemological Issues in the Design of Research," introduces the work’s themes and context. Included in this discussion are research design as persuasive strategy, a critique of survey research, and a theory of contrivance and demonstration in design. In part 2, "Contrivance and Demonstration in Practice," Bositis examines the practice of design in political science, first through a discussion of the history of experimentation and then through an examination of both an integrated design and participant observation approach. Part 3 "The Politics of Research Design," offers an analysis of the politics and ethics that inform design choices. An extensive bibliography of nearly 400 entries is one of the most complete listings of experiments in political science to be found anywhere.

Increase the probability of success! Buy Political Science Research Methods, Sixth Edition and Working with Political Science Research Methods, Second Edition together and save. Specify ISBN 978-0-87289-772-4 when ordering. Does the “science” part of political science cause your students to break out in a cold sweat? This companion workbook gives students the perfect opportunity to practice each of the methods presented in the text. To maximize their ability to master each technique, the workbook is organized to parallel the text chapter for chapter, breaking out each aspect of the research process into manageable parts, and comes with updated data sets and primary documents. Given invaluable feedback from adopters, this second edition workbook has been restructured so that exercises more consistently increase in complexity and degree of difficulty, and fuller, more explicit directions accompany problems. A solutions manual with answers to the workbook and useful tips for instructors is available to adopters. Contact collegesales@cqpress.com for more information.