Explorations

Starting Point
PART I: READING AND CONDUCTING POLITICAL RESEARCH
1. Science and the Study of Politics
Destination
Normative and Empirical Analysis
The Scientific Approach
- Core Beliefs of the Scientific Approach
- The Scientific Approach vs. The Scientific Method
- Limitations of the Scientific Approach in Politics
The Scientific Process
- Pose a Research Question
- Gather Empirical Evidence
- Communicate the Results
Check-In Point
Working as a Team
Self-Study and Self-Reflection
References
2. Reading and Writing Political Science Research
Destination
The Audience
Constructing an Argument
Components of the Research Report
- The Abstract or Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Research Design
- Presentation of Findings
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- References
Check-In Point
Working as a Team
Self-Study and Self-Reflection
References
3. Research Ethics
Destination
Dangers of Unethical Research Practices
Ensuring Ethical Practice at all Stages of Research
- Selecting the Research Topic
- Research Design
- Data Collection
Data Analysis
- Research Dissemination
- Data Storage and Security
Check-In Point
Working as a Team
Self-Study and Self-Reflection
References
4. Research Foundations: Theory, Concepts, and Measures
Destination
Theory and Political Science Research
- The Role of Research in Developing, Testing, and Refining Theory
- The Importance of Theory to Political Science
Concepts
- Sources of Conceptual Definitions
- Research Clarity and Concepts
Measurement: Linking Theory to Empirical Study
- Measures in Qualitative Research
- Measures in Quantitative Research
Hypotheses and Causality
- Causality
- Evaluating Causal Claims
- Hypothesis Testing and Theory
- Causal Models and Temporal Order
- Levels of Measurement
- Measurement Accuracy
Using Foundational Knowledge to Critically Assess Political Science Research
Check-In Point
Working as a Team
Self-Study and Self-Reflection
References
5. Populations of Study
Destination
Populations and Samples
Representative Samples
Probability Sampling
- Introduction to Probability Theory
- Probability Theory and Sampling
Sample Size
Conducting Probability Samples
Non-Probability Sampling
Check-In Point
Working as a Team
Self-Study and Self-Reflection
Answers to Probability Questions
- Calculating Probabilities 1 Answers
- Calculating Probabilities 2 Answers
References
Notes
PART II: RESEARCH DESIGN
6. Researching Documents and Texts
Destination
Data Collection and Texts: Overview
- Research Location
- Populations of Study and Sampling
- Data Collection
- Measures
- Causality
Document Analysis
Content Analysis
The Use of Content Analysis in Political Science
Content Analysis Research Processes
Discourse Analysis
- The Use of Discourse Analysis in Political Science
- Discourse Analysis Research Processes
Considerations When Reading Document and Textual Analyses
Check-In Point
Working as a Team
Self-Study and Self-Reflection
References
Notes
7. Researching Human Subjects: Interviews, Focus Groups, and Observation Research
Destination
Qualitative Data Collection from Human Subjects: Overview
- Research Location
- Background Research
- Populations of Study and Sampling
- Measurement
- Data Collection
- Causality
Interviews
- The Use of Interviews in Political Science
- Interview Research Processes
Focus Groups
- The Use of Focus Groups in Political Science
- Focus Group Research Processes
Observation
- The Use of Observation in Political Science
- Observation Research Processes
Ethics and Qualitative Research with Human Subjects
Considerations When Reading Qualitative Research
Check-In Point
Working as a Team
Self-Study and Self-Reflection
References
8. Researching Human Subjects: Surveys and Secondary Data
Destination
Non-Experimental Quantitative Data Collection from Human Subjects: Overview
- Research Location
- Populations of Study and Sampling
- Measurement
- Data Cleaning
- Causality
Survey Research
- Survey Data Collection Options
- Question Order
- Survey Response Rates and the Potential for Bias
- Pretesting Survey Questionnaires
- Survey Research Summary
Secondary Data
- Secondary Survey Data Sets
- Official Statistics
- Summary
Considerations When Reading Non-Experimental Quantitative Human Subject Research
Check-In Point
Working as a Team
Self-Study and Self-Reflection
Answer Key: Survey Question Wording Problems
References
Notes
9. Experimental Research
By Alexandre Morin-Chassé (Contributor)
Destination
Experiments and the Search for Causality
Designing an Experimental Study
- Random Assignment Practices
- Experimental Context
- Overall Experimental Design
- Treatment
- Factors and Levels
- Sample Size
- Sample Recruitment
Types of Experiments
- Laboratory Experiments
- Survey Experiments
- Field Experiments
- Natural Experiments and Quasi-Experiments
Ethical Issues and other Limits of Experimentation in Political Science
Check-In Point
Working as a Team
Self-Study and Self-Reflection
References
Notes
10. Small-n Methods: From the Case Study to Comparative Research
By Martin Gaal (Contributor)
Destination
Case Study Research
- The Descriptive Case Study
Archival Resources
The Theory-Testing Case Study
Process Tracing
- Considerations for Case Study Research
Comparative Research
- Most Similar Systems Design
- Most Different Systems Design
- Comparative Designs: Summary
- Considerations for Comparative Research
Considerations When Reading Small-n Research
Check-In Point
Working as a Team
Self-Study and Self-Reflection
References
PART III: DATA ANALYSIS
11. Analyzing Qualitative Data
By Jared Wesley (Contributor)
Destination
Trustworthy Qualitative Research
- Authenticity
- Portability
- Precision
- Impartiality
- Trustworthy Research: Summary
Coding Qualitative Data
- Real-World Example of Qualitative Coding: Provincial Political Party Platforms
- Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis
Reporting Qualitative Data
- Ensuring Trustworthiness
Check-In Point
Working as a Team
Self-Study and Self-Reflection
References
Note
12. Describing the Political World: Quantitative Analysis
Destination
Linking Statistics to Arguments in Political Science
Univariate Statistics: Distribution, Central Tendency, and Dispersion
Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion for Nominal Variables: Mode and the Variation Ratio
- Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion for Ordinal Variables: Median and Range
* Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion for Interval/Ratio Variables: Mean and the Standard Deviation
Comparing Univariate Statistics Across Individuals and Subgroups
- Standardized Scores
- Claims of Differences between Subgroups
Claims of Relationships between Variables
Question 1: What Is the Form/Direction of the Relationship?
Question 2: How Strong is the Relationship?
- Summary: Bivariate Relationships
Check-In Point
Working as a Team
Self-Study and Self-Reflection
Answer Key: Selecting a Measure of Central Tendency
Answer Key: Selecting Measures of Association
Answer Key: Self-Study and Self-Reflection Q1
References
Notes
13. Quantitative Analysis: Inferential Statistics and Multivariate Analysis
Destination
Normal Curve
- The Central-Limit Theorem
Inferential Statistics and Hypothesis Testing
- Select Confidence Level
- Select Appropriate Inferential Statistic
- Calculating Inferential Statistic and Accepting/Rejecting the Null Hypothesis
- F-Ratios for Interval-Level Relationships
- Inferential Statistics: Summary
Multivariate Analysis
- Assessing a Bivariate Relationship While Controlling for a Third Variable
- Multiple Regression Analysis
Thinking through Quantitative Arguments
Check-In Point
Working as a Team
Self-Study and Self-Reflection
Answer Key: Calculating and Interpreting Confidence Intervals at Different Confidence Levels
Answer Key: Reading a Contingency Table
Answer Key: Self-Study and Self-Reflection Calculating Chi-Square
Notes
References
14. Explorations: Reading and Conducting Empirical Research in Political Science
Destination
Seeing the World as a Political Scientist
Reading Arguments and Research as a Political Scientist
Adding to Knowledge as a Political Scientist
Check-In Point
Working as a Team
Self-Study and Self-Reflection
References
Glossary
Index

PowerPoint Slides:
For each chapter:
- 20-30 slides per chapter
Test Bank:
- 30 multiple choice questions
- 25 true-or-false questions
- 15 short answer questions
- 5 long answer questions
- Answer key for all questions
Student Study Guide:
- Chapter overview
- Learning objectives
- Key concepts and terms
- Review Questions
- Self-Grading Student Quizzes
- For each chapter:
-- 10-15 multiple choice
-- 7-10 true-or-false
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Lab Manual (NEW!):
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- R Handbook

Loleen Berdahl is a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and executive director of the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy at the Universities of Regina and Saskatchewan.


Jason Roy is an associate professor of political science at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Social Research Methods - Alan Bryman and Edward Bell
The Research Process - Lori Wilkinson, Gary D. Bouma and Susan Carland
Qualitative Research in Action - Deborah K. van den Hoonaard
Making Sense in the Social Sciences - Margot Northey, Lorne Tepperman and Patrizia Albanese
Political Research - Sandra Halperin and Oliver Heath
Understanding Social Statistics - Lance W. Roberts, Jason Edgerton, Tracey Peter and Lori Wilkinson

Special Features

• Written by leading Canadian scholars and featuring Canadian data and examples, this text is a relevant resource for students in this country.
• Accessible and clear approach to methods, theories, data, and research with simplified language throughout makes complex material easy to understand.
• The only Canadian research methods text with a political science focus, including discipline-specific examples and statistical techniques throughout.
• Seamlessly integrates qualitative and quantitative methods, offering students a thorough look at the benefits of these two approaches to empirical research.
• Three guest-authored chapters provide expert overviews from top Canadian political scientists on such topics as experimental research, comparative research, and analyzing qualitative data.
• Apply Your Understanding boxes help students test their thinking and comprehension of the key concepts being discussed.
• Expand Your Knowledge boxes use real-life examples to illustrate how empirical research methods can be used to enrich and expand our understanding of the political world and, in some cases, to illustrate how mistakes can be made.

New to this Edition

• Streamlined organization and coverage better reflects how political research methods courses are taught in Canada today and now has 14 succinct chapters instead of 18.
• New Ethics Alert! boxes highlight current ethical considerations and concerns that can arise in political research-including deception in experimental designs, covert observation, and big data collected through social media.
• New Check-In Point summaries detail the specific information and core items students should know after reading each chapter.
• New and updated end-of-chapter questions prompt students to reflect on critical ideas and encourage a deeper understanding of the material.
• New discussion of current topics, including Indigenous research methodologies, data security, and focus group research.
• Updated Canadian examples and statistics ensure students have access to the most up-to-date information available.