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Political Science Research Methods
Ninth Edition
- Janet Buttolph Johnson - University of Delaware, USA
- H. T. Reynolds - University of Delaware, USA
- Jason D. Mycoff - University of Delaware, USA
Additional resources:
400 pages | CQ Press
“This is a solid text that walks students through the entire process of empirical, quantitative research methods in political science without being too math-heavy. Students will be able to read this book and come away with an increased understanding of how we use research methods in political science.”
—Amanda M. Rosen, Webster University
Understand the “how” and the “why” behind research in political science.
Political Science Research Methods helps students to understand the logic behind research design by guiding them through a step-by-step process that explains when and why a researcher would pursue different kinds of methods. The highly anticipated Ninth Edition of this trusted resource provides more international examples, an increased focus on the role ethics play in the research process, increased attention to qualitative research methods, and expanded coverage on the role of the internet in research and analysis.
A Complete Teaching & Learning Package
SAGE coursepacks
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Bundle with the accompanying workbook for only $15 more!
Working with Political Science Research Methods, Fifth Edition offers students multiple opportunities 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.
Your students save when you order the workbook bundled with the text.
Use bundle ISBN 978-1-5443-3157-7.
—Amanda M. Rosen, Webster University
Understand the “how” and the “why” behind research in political science.
Political Science Research Methods helps students to understand the logic behind research design by guiding them through a step-by-step process that explains when and why a researcher would pursue different kinds of methods. The highly anticipated Ninth Edition of this trusted resource provides more international examples, an increased focus on the role ethics play in the research process, increased attention to qualitative research methods, and expanded coverage on the role of the internet in research and analysis.
A Complete Teaching & Learning Package
SAGE coursepacks
FREE! Easily import our quality instructor and student resource content into your school’s learning management system (LMS) and save time. Learn more.
SAGE edge
FREE online resources for students that make learning easier. See how your students benefit.
Bundle with the accompanying workbook for only $15 more!
Working with Political Science Research Methods, Fifth Edition offers students multiple opportunities 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.
Your students save when you order the workbook bundled with the text.
Use bundle ISBN 978-1-5443-3157-7.
Tables, Figures, and Features
Preface
About the Authors
Chapter 1 Introduction
| Research on Income Inequality |
| Politics and the Gender Gap |
| The Case of Italian (Non) Tax Compliance |
| Protests and Repression in New Democracies |
| The Observer Effect in International Politics: Evidence from a Natural Experiment |
| Conclusion |
| Terms Introduced |
Chapter 2 The Empirical Approach to Political Science
| Elements of Empiricism |
| The Importance of Theory |
| A Brief Overview of the Empirical Research Process |
| Reactions to the Empirical Approach: Practical Objections |
| Competing Points of View |
| Conclusion |
| Terms Introduced |
| Suggested Readings |
Chapter 3 Beginning the Research Process: Identifying a Research Topic, Developing Research Questions, and Reviewing the Literature
| Specifying the Research Question |
| Sources of Ideas for Research Topics |
| Why Conduct a Literature Review? |
| Collecting Sources for a Literature Review |
| Writing a Literature Review |
| Anatomy of a Literature Review |
| Conclusion |
| Terms Introduced |
| Suggested Readings |
Chapter 4 The Building Blocks of Social Scientific Research: Hypotheses, Concepts, Variables, and Measurement
| Proposing Explanations |
| Formulating Hypotheses |
| Defining Concepts |
| Devising Measurement Strategies |
| The Accuracy of Measurements |
| The Precision of Measurements |
| Conclusion |
| Terms Introduced |
| Suggested Readings |
Chapter 5 Sampling
| The Basics of Sampling |
| How Do We Use a Sample to Learn About a Population? |
| Sampling Methods |
| Types of Samples |
| Conclusion |
| Terms Introduced |
| Suggested Readings |
Chapter 6 Research Design: Establishing Causation
| Verifying Causal Assertions |
| Qualitative and Quantitative Methods and Analysis: Causes-of-Effects and Effects-of-Causes Approaches |
| Conclusion |
| Terms Introduced |
| Suggested Readings |
Chapter 7 Qualitative Research: Case Study Designs
| Case Study Methods |
| Case Study Types |
| Using Cases to Explore Causal Mechanisms: Process Tracing |
| Generalizing from Cases Studies |
| Conclusion |
| Terms Introduced |
| Suggested Readings |
Chapter 8 Making Empirical Observations
| Types of Data and Collection Techniques |
| Data Collection in Qualitative Research |
| Conclusion |
| Terms Introduced |
| Suggested Readings |
Chapter 9 Quantitative Research Designs
| Randomized Experimental Designs |
| Natural Experiments |
| Nonrandomized Designs: Quasi-Experiments |
| Observational Studies |
| Conclusion |
| Terms Introduced |
| Suggested Readings |
Chapter 10 Quantitative Methods
| The Wide Variety of Quantitative Projects |
| Sources of Data for Quantitative Studies |
| Data Management |
| Ethical Concerns with Quantitative Methods |
| Conclusion |
| Terms Introduced |
| Suggested Readings |
Chapter 11 Making Sense of Data: First Steps
| The Data Matrix |
| Descriptive Statistics |
| Graphs for Presentation and Exploration |
| Conclusion |
| Terms Introduced |
| Suggested Readings |
Chapter 12 Testing Relationships
| The Normal Distribution and Z Scores |
| Confidence Intervals |
| Hypothesis Testing |
| Testing a Relationship with Two Samples |
| Conclusion |
| Terms Introduced |
| Suggested Readings |
Chapter 13 Analyzing Relationships for Categorical Data
| The Basics of Identifying and Measuring Relationships |
| Table Summaries of Categorical Variable Associations |
| Measuring Strength of Relationships in Tables |
| Measures of Association: Statistics for Reporting the Strength of Relationships in Tables |
| Chi Square Test for Independence |
| Multivariate Analysis of Categorical Data |
| Analysis of Variance: Analyzing the Difference between Means for More Than Two Means |
| Conclusion |
| Terms Introduced |
| Suggested Readings |
Chapter 14 Regression
| Logic of Regression |
| Minimizing the Sum of the Squared Error |
| The Linear Regression Model |
| Maximum Likelihood Models for Dichotomous Dependent Variables |
| Conclusion |
| Terms Introduced |
| Suggested Readings |
Chapter 15 The Research Report: An Annotated Example
| Annotated Research Report Example |
| Appendixes |
| Appendix A: Normal Curve Tail Probabilities |
| Appendix B: Critical Values from t Distribution |
| Appendix C: Chi-Squared Distribution Values for Various Right-Tail Probabilities |
| Appendix D: F Distribution |
Glossary
Index
Supplements
Instructor Resources Site
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“I like the focus on empiricism and the attempt to illustrate numerous research puzzles throughout.”
North Carolina Central University
“A great overview of research methods written by and for political scientists.”
Wayne State University
“This textbook is an informative and broad first foray into political science research methods that is appropriate for any early undergraduate student.”
University of North Texas
“This is a solid text that walks students through the entire process of empirical quantitative research methods in political science without being too math-heavy. Students will be able to read this book and come away with an increased understanding of how we use research methods in political science.”
Webster University