Political Science Research: A Handbook of Scope and MethodsThis text introduces students to the discipline of political science and the research process by teaching them how to conduct basic political research without overwhelming them with statistical theorizing and calculation. Political Science Research has three objectives. First, it gives students the scope of the discipline by acquainting them with what political scientists do and study. Second, it familiarizes readers with the methods that political scientists use to examine pertinent questions. Third, the text guides readers through each stage of the research process: topic selection, literature review, hypothesis formulation, data collection, input and analysis, and the writing of the final report. |
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American political analysis analyze behavior bivariate calculate causal cell central tendency chapter chi square comparative politics concepts Congress contingency table control group counties democracy democratic dependent variable depicts determine discussed enhance error example explain factors frequency distribution hypothesis impact important independent and dependent internal validity lambda legislation level of education level of measurement mean measures of association measures of central median ment method nation-states nations nominal nonprobability sample observations party identification percent percentage phi coefficient political party political research political science political scientists political system population posttest predict presidential pretest probability sample problem public administration public policy questions random regression relationship representative Republican research design research process responses sample frame scale score social standard deviation statistical significance subfield Texas theory third variable tion topic Total U.S. Congress validity voters voting turnout