Political Science is simultaneously the study of people and the study of systems. In studying politics one must confront the human experience both individually and collectively. Research in political science, therefore, must consider both the varying biases and assumptions inherent in individuals and communities, as well as "scientific" methods for collecting and analyzing data.

This course will introduce the scope and methods for the study of politics, exploring both normative and empirical approaches. Further, the course will introduce students to computerized systems for analyzing data. By the close of the semester you will have conceptualized a research question, reviewed the relevant literature in the field, created a research design, developed a population sample, collected data, and analyzed the data using state of the discipline computer techniques. Finally, you will write up the completed research project.

Required Texts

Earl Babbie: The Practice of Social Research (8^th Edition)

Ethridge: The Political Research Experience: Readings and Analysis (1994, 2nd ed.)

Scott & Garrison: The Political Science Student Writer's Guide (1999)

Course Requirements

Participation 10%; Exercises 30%; Computer Projects 30%; Final Research Paper 30%

The course employs the traditional +/- grading system. Requirements include participation in discussion, weekly exercises, computer projects, and completion of a semester research paper. There are no midterms and there is no final exam. University policy requires me to remind you that cheating or plagiarism (representing the work of another as one's own) will result in an "F" and may result in further disciplinary measures. Weekly exercises will focus on current topics of discussion, and are designed to assist you in developing the necessary skills to successfully complete the research project. All exercises are to be handed in on time. Late exercises will not be accepted.

The Research Paper is the main focus of the course. Students will conceptualize a project, review all relevant studies, design a questionnaire, implement a survey, and analyze the data using SPSS (computerized social statistics). The final results will be written up according to the protocol outlined in Scott and Garrison. All exercises and papers are to be typed, double spaced. The final research paper will be the culmination of the semester's work, and must include a clear discussion of the research question, a review of the relevant scholarly literature, a description of the population sample, discussion of survey questions, summation of data, and most importantly, analysis of that data. The papers must use proper citation and bibliographic format.

Semester Outline (Reading MUST be completed by day noted)

Important Note: The Assigned Reading for this course is purposely short. This is to allow you time to

research your topic (that is, to READ the literature that applies to your topic).

Also note that Exercises are discussed IN CLASS the day they are assigned.

Part One: The Nature of Political Inquiry

Week I (9/1): The Nature of Political Inquiry

- Epistemology (the nature of knowledge);

- Kuhn's paradigm (how scientific revolutions change the nature of knowledge);

* Babbie ch. 1 & 2;

* Ethridge 1 & 14;

* Exercise 1: Email Account; Email me by 9/2

* Exercise 2: The Research Question, due 9/8

Week II (9/8): Theory Building; Asking the Right Questions

> Research Question Due <

- Weber's notion of the Sociological Imagination;

- The Research Paper;

* Babbie ch. 3;

* Scott & Garrison, all;

* Exercise 3: Library Search and Summaries, due 9/15

Part Two: The Logic and Theory of Social Science

Week III (9/15): Exploring the Literature; the Computer

> Library Exercise and Summaries Due <

- Exploring the Literature;

- Conceptualizing the Research Paper;

- Introducing Computers for data analysis;

- Research Skills;

- Writing the Literature Review

* Babbie Appendix A & B;

* Continued Independent Reading for Topic (Submit Citations)

* Exercise 4: Literature Review, due 10/20

Week IV (9/22): Measurement and Operationalization

- The Scientific Method: An Overview;

- Identifying and Measuring Hypotheses;

- Measuring Tools

- Variables for Aggregate and Individual Behavior

* Babbie 4-5;

* Ethridge 2-3;

* Continued Independent Reading for Topic (Submit Citations)

* Exercise 5: Measurements & Operationalization, due 9/29;

Week V (9/29): Indexing

> Measurements & Operationalization Exercise Due <

- Building and Using Indexes

* Babbie 4-5;

* Ethridge 4;

* Continued Independent Reading for Topic (Submit Citations)

* Exercise 6: Building Indexes, due 10/6

Week VI (10/6): Research Design

> Building Indexes Exercise Due <

- Research Designs

- Experimental Designs

* Babbie 6-7;

* Ethridge 5;

* Continued Independent Reading for Topic (Submit Citations)

* Exercise 7: Research Design, due 10/13

Week VII (10/13): Sampling

> Research Design Exercise Due <

- Population Sampling Techniques;

* Babbie 8;

* Ethridge 6;

* Continued Independent Reading for Topic (Submit Citations)

* Exercise 8: Sampling, due 10/20

Part Three: Data Collection

Week VIII (10/20) Survey Methodology & Elite Interviewing

> Literature Review Due <

> Sampling Exercise Due <

- Survey Research;

- Question Wording;

- Interviewing;

* Babbie 10;

* Ethridge 7-8;

* Continued Independent Reading for Topic (Submit Citations)

* Exercise 9: Questionnaire, due 10/27

Week IX (10/27): Content Analysis and Comparative Analysis

> Questionnaire Due <

- Unobtrusive Methods for Collecting Data;

- Content Analysis;

- Comparative Analysis;

- Historical Analysis;

* Babbie 9, 11;

* Ethridge 9-10;

* Continued Independent Reading for Topic (Submit Citations)

* Exercise 10: Edit and Implement Questionnaires, due in Final Paper

Part Four: Analyzing Data

Week X (11/3): Computers for Data Analysis

- Computers for Data Analysis; - SPSS;

- Loading and Managing Datasets;

* Continued Independent Reading for Topic (Submit Citations)

* Exercise 11: Dataset Construction, due 11/10

Week XI (11/10): Univariate and Bivariate Analysis

> Dataset Construction Due <

- Statistical Analysis;

! frequencies

! percentages

! bar charts

! histograms

! measurements of central tendency

! sampling error

! testing hypotheses

! crosstabs

! comparing means

! Correlations & Significance

- Computers for Data Analysis/ - SPSS;

* Babbie 14-15

* Ethridge 11-12;

* Continued Independent Reading for Topic (Submit Citations)

* Exercise 12: Frequencies, Crosstabs, Correlations, due 11/17

Week XII (11/17): Multivariate Analysis

> Frequencies, Crosstabs, Correlations Due <

- Regression Analysis;

* Babbie 17

* Ethridge 13;

* Continued Independent Reading for Topic (Submit Citations)

* Exercise 13: Regression, due 11/24

Week XIII (11/24): Bringing it All Together

> Regression Exercise Due <

- Enduring Controversies

* Ethridge 14 Revisited;

Week XIV (12/1); Lab Time to Finish Paper

Week XV (12/8); Final Class

- Present Papers

>>> FINAL PAPER DUE During Scheduled Final Exam <<<