ABSTRACT

The third edition of Research Methods for Political Science retains its effective approach to helping students learn what to research, why to research and how to research. The text integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches to research in one volume and covers such important topics as research design, specifying research problems, designing questionnaires and writing questions, designing and carrying out qualitative research and analyzing both quantitative and qualitative research data. Heavily illustrated, classroom tested, exceptionally readable and engaging, the text presents statistical methods in a conversational tone to help students surmount "math phobia."

Updates to this new edition include:

  • Research topics chapters have been upgraded and expanded.
  • Two mixed methods design chapters have been added.
  • A new chapter on hermeneutic analysis designs and research with large data sets.
  • The chapter on multivariate statistics has been expanded, with an expanded discussion on logistic regression.
  • Tools on how to prepare and present research findings are now featured in the appendix, allowing instructors more flexibility when teaching their courses.

Research Methods for Political Science will give students the confidence and knowledge they need to understand the methods and basics skills for data collection, presentation and analysis.

chapter |6 pages

Introduction

part 1|66 pages

Foundations of Political Science Research

chapter 1|10 pages

Introduction to Research Methods

chapter 3|10 pages

Research in Political Science

chapter 5|19 pages

Research Decisions

Approaches and Designs

part 2|166 pages

Quantitative Research Methods

chapter 6|11 pages

Fundamentals of Measurement and Statistics

chapter 7|9 pages

Introduction to Sampling

chapter 8|13 pages

Exploratory Research

Probing Designs

chapter 9|18 pages

Descriptive Research

Survey Designs

chapter 10|19 pages

Experimental Research

Causal Designs

chapter 11|15 pages

Basic Exploratory and Descriptive Statistics

chapter 12|16 pages

Testing Research Hypotheses

chapter 13|11 pages

Correlation and Simple Regression Analysis

chapter 14|23 pages

Exploring Multivariate Statistics

chapter 16|16 pages

Parametric vs. Nonparametric Statistics

part 3|122 pages

Qualitative Research Methods

chapter 17|11 pages

Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

chapter 18|11 pages

Expository Research I

Library and Archive Analysis

chapter 19|12 pages

Expository Research II

Content, Meta-Analysis and Semiotics

chapter 20|14 pages

Explanatory Research I

Case Studies and Historical Research

chapter 21|14 pages

Explanatory Research II

Grounded Theory Designs

chapter 22|12 pages

Interpretive Research I

Ethnographic Designs

chapter 23|9 pages

Interpretive Research II

Hermeneutic Analysis Designs

chapter 24|10 pages

Critical Research I

Feminist and Empowerment Designs

chapter 25|11 pages

Critical Research II

Action Research Designs

part 4|25 pages

Mixed Methods Research

chapter 27|10 pages

Introduction to Mixed Methods Research

chapter 28|13 pages

Mixed Methods Research Designs