Course Description
Basic scientific methods, broadly defined, to include problems of definition, concept formation, hypothesis testing, explanation and prediction, and theory construction.
Athena Title
RESEARCH DESIGN
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course introduces students to the research methods used in political science. Its specific aims are to help students determine what science is and what scientists as scientists try to accomplish. Second, students gain an appreciation of the role of theory, hypothesis, and concept formation in the explanation and prediction of political phenomena. Third, students confront the practical problem of formulating a research design that allows theories and hypotheses to be confronted by evidence. Students may be evaluated based on examinations, research papers, class discussion, presentations, and/or homework.
Topical Outline
Possible Topics: The scientific study of politics Alternative research designs Comparative research Measurement Sampling Interviews and surveys Functional model forms Writing a research report Structure of a research design paper
Syllabus