POL 302 - Research Methods in Political Science

An introduction to political research methods. The course will make students better practitioners and consumers of political research. Focus is on basic qualitative and quantitative methods, with an emphasis on the stages in the research process and computerized data analysis. Among the topics covered: research design, strategies, ethics, conceptualization, measurement, sampling, causation, generalizability, reliability, methods (surveys, observation/participation, evaluation…), elementary and advanced data analysis, reviewing, proposing, and reporting research. Particular attention is paid to computerized data analysis using the GSS and SPSS.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in Fall Semester