Tools of the Trade: The Art and Science of Political Research

POL

198

Tools of the Trade: The Art and Science of Political Research

An introduction to the social-scientific study of political phenomena. What tools and techniques do political scientists and analysts use to create knowledge? How should political arguments and data encountered in newspapers, policy reports and journal articles be evaluated? Topics include the logic of the scientific method, research design, measurement of political concepts, research methods, date collection, case-study design and selection, statistical techniques for describing date, statistical inference, survey research and qualitative research procedures. Criteria for evaluating sources and arguments in political research considered. Pre-Requistes: POL 100 or POL 103; and MTH 020 or higher, or an appropriate math placement.

Fall, Spring

Undergraduate

Yes

018151