The Fundamentals of Political Science Research

by Paul M. Kellstedt, Guy D. Whitten

Overview

The third edition of the best-selling The Fundamentals of Political Science Research provides an introduction to the scientific study of politics. It offers the basic tools necessary for readers to become both critical consumers and beginning producers of scientific research on politics. The authors present an integrated approach to research design and empirical analyses whereby researchers can develop and test causal theories. They use examples from political science research that students will find interesting and inspiring, and that will help them understand key concepts. The book makes technical material accessible to students who might otherwise be intimidated by mathematical examples. This revised third edition features new 'Your Turn' boxes meant to engage students. The edition also has new sections added throughout the book to enhance the content's clarity and breadth of coverage.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521697880
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/31/2008
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	292
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Paul M. Kellstedt is Professor of Political Science at Texas A & M University. He is the author of The Mass Media and the Dynamics of Racial Attitudes (Cambridge, 2003), winner of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government's 2004 Goldsmith Book Prize. In addition, he has published numerous articles in a variety of leading journals. He is the recently named editor-in-chief of Political Science Research and Methods, the flagship journal of the European Political Science Association.

Guy D. Whitten is Professor of Political Science, as well as the Director of the European Union Center, at Texas A & M University. He has published a variety of articles in leading peer-reviewed journals. He is on the editorial boards of the American Journal of Political Science, Electoral Studies and Political Science Research and Methods.

Table of Contents

Preface to the third edition; Acknowledgements to the third edition; Acknowledgements to the second edition; Acknowledgements to the first edition; 1. The scientific study of politics; 2. The art of theory building; 3. Evaluating causal relationships; 4. Research design; 5. Measuring concepts of interest; 6. Getting to know your data; 7. Probability and statistical inference; 8. Bivariate hypothesis testing; 9. Two-variable regression models; 10. Multiple regression: the basics; 11. Multiple regression model specification; 12. Limited dependent variables and time-series data; Appendix A. Critical values of chi-square; Appendix B. Critical values of t; Appendix C. The link function for binomial logit models; Appendix D. The link function for binomial probit models; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

Many do not fully appreciate that the world is in the midst of a grand march of quantification through areas of human knowledge. As the rapidly improving tools of measurement, inference, and science are adapted to each area, automated statistical algorithms and well designed research vastly outperform casual human judgment. Given the numerous self-proclaimed political experts and pundits vying for media attention, some people may be surprised that science has even come to the study of government and politics. In The Fundamentals of Political Science Research, Kellstedt and Whitten not only set the record straight; they provide an interesting and accessible introduction to this exciting area, so students can better understand claims about the political world and even begin to make discoveries on their own.”
- Gary King, Harvard University

From the Publisher