ABSTRACT

This guide has been designed to help undergraduates develop an understanding of practical research methods, and their application in the undergraduate dissertation.

Written in an accessible and engaging style, it offers advice on all aspects of undergraduate research, from choosing a dissertation subject through to presenting the finished article.

Features of this book:

  • concise chapters which provide an introduction to various aspects of research methods, including: why it is important; quantitative and qualitative methods; and practical application
  • advice, hints and tips on planning, presenting, researching and writing undergraduate dissertations
  • a wide range of examples of research to clearly illustrate different issues and methods which students may encounter
  • guides to further reading and thinking at the end of each chapter.

chapter 1|19 pages

DOING DISSERTATIONS IN POLITICS

chapter 2|30 pages

RESEARCH DESIGN AND THE DISSERTATION

chapter 3|23 pages

Defining the Problem

The research proposal

chapter 4|16 pages

Refining the Problem

The literature review

chapter 5|36 pages

Deduction, Quantification and the Empirical Dissertation

Facing up to feline frolics

chapter 6|28 pages

Induction, Qualification and the Empirical Dissertation

Understanding feline fun

chapter 7|11 pages

PUTTING THE CAT OUT

The theoretical dissertation

chapter 8|13 pages

MAKING SENSE OF IT ALL

Critical thought and data analysis

chapter 9|4 pages

MAKING SENSE OF IT ALL

Drafting, completing and submitting the dissertation