Political Science Research Methods

by Janet B. Johnson, H. T. Reynolds, Jason D. Mycoff

Overview

Understand the “how” and the “why” behind research in political science.

Political Science Research Methods by Janet Buttolph Johnson, H. T. Reynolds, and Jason D. Mycoff helps you to understand the logic behind research design by guiding you through a step-by-step process that explains when and why a researcher would pursue different kinds of methods. The highly anticipated Ninth Edition of this trusted resource provides more international examples, an increased focus on the role ethics play in the research process, increased attention to qualitative research methods, and expanded coverage on the role of the internet in research and analysis.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781544331430
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	08/20/2019
Edition description:	Ninth Edition
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	7.38(w) x 9.12(h) x (d)

About the Author

Janet Buttolph Johnson is associate professor of political science and international relations at the University of Delaware, where she specializes in public policy, state and local politics, and environmental policy and politics.

H. T. Reynolds is professor emeritus of political science at the University of Delaware. He is author of Governing America, with David Volger; The Analysis of Nominal Data, Second Edition; and several articles on methodology.

Jason Mycoff is associate professor of political science and international relations at the University of Delaware. His research is on American political institutions, in particular the US Congress, congressional committees, and parties.

Table of Contents

Tables, Figures, and Features
Preface
About the Authors
Chapter 1 • Introduction
Research on Income Inequality
Politics and the Gender Gap
The Case of Italian (Non) Tax Compliance
Protests and Repression in New Democracies
The Observer Effect in International Politics: Evidence from a Natural Experiment
Conclusion
Terms Introduced
Chapter 2 • The Empirical Approach to Political Science
Elements of Empiricism
The Importance of Theory
A Brief Overview of the Empirical Research Process
Reactions to the Empirical Approach: Practical Objections
Competing Points of View
Conclusion
Terms Introduced
Suggested Readings
Chapter 3 • Beginning the Research Process: Identifying a Research Topic, Developing Research Questions, and Reviewing the Literature
Specifying the Research Question
Sources of Ideas for Research Topics
Why Conduct a Literature Review?
Collecting Sources for a Literature Review
Writing a Literature Review
Anatomy of a Literature Review
Conclusion
Terms Introduced
Suggested Readings
Chapter 4 • The Building Blocks of Social Scientific Research: Hypotheses, Concepts, Variables, and Measurement
Proposing Explanations
Formulating Hypotheses
Defining Concepts
Devising Measurement Strategies
The Accuracy of Measurements
The Precision of Measurements
Conclusion
Terms Introduced
Suggested Readings
Chapter 5 • Sampling
The Basics of Sampling
How Do We Use a Sample to Learn About a Population?
Sampling Methods
Types of Samples
Conclusion
Terms Introduced
Suggested Readings
Chapter 6 • Research Design: Establishing Causation
Verifying Causal Assertions
Qualitative and Quantitative Methods and Analysis: Causes-of-Effects and Effects-of-Causes Approaches
Conclusion
Terms Introduced
Suggested Readings
Chapter 7 • Qualitative Research: Case Study Designs
Case Study Methods
Case Study Types
Using Cases to Explore Causal Mechanisms: Process Tracing
Generalizing from Cases Studies
Conclusion
Terms Introduced
Suggested Readings
Chapter 8 • Making Empirical Observations: Qualitative Analysis
Types of Data and Collection Techniques
Data Collection in Qualitative Research
Conclusion
Terms Introduced
Suggested Readings
Chapter 9 • Quantitative Research Designs
Randomized Experimental Designs
Natural Experiments
Nonrandomized Designs: Quasi-Experiments
Observational Studies
Conclusion
Terms Introduced
Suggested Readings
Chapter 10 • Quantitative Methods
The Wide Variety of Quantitative Projects
Sources of Data for Quantitative Studies
Data Management
Ethical Concerns with Quantitative Methods
Conclusion
Terms Introduced
Suggested Readings
Chapter 11 • Making Sense of Data: First Steps
The Data Matrix
Descriptive Statistics
Graphs for Presentation and Exploration
Conclusion
Terms Introduced
Suggested Readings
Chapter 12 • Testing Relationships
The Normal Distribution and z Scores
Confidence Intervals
Hypothesis Testing
Testing a Relationship with Two Samples
Conclusion
Terms Introduced
Suggested Readings
Chapter 13 • Analyzing Relationships for Categorical Data
The Basics of Identifying and Measuring Relationships
Table Summaries of Categorical Variable Associations
Measuring Strength of Relationships in Tables
Measures of Association: Statistics for Reporting the Strength of Relationships in Tables
Chi Square Test for Independence
Multivariate Analysis of Categorical Data
Analysis of Variance: Analyzing the Difference between Means for More Than Two Means
Conclusion
Terms Introduced
Suggested Readings
Chapter 14 • Regression
Logic of Regression
Minimizing the Sum of the Squared Error
The Linear Regression Model
Maximum Likelihood Models for Dichotomous Dependent Variables
Conclusion
Terms Introduced
Suggested Readings
Chapter 15 • The Research Report: An Annotated Example
Annotated Research Report Example
Appendixes
Appendix A: Normal Curve Tail Probabilities
Appendix B: Critical Values from t Distribution
Appendix C: Chi-Squared Distribution Values for Various Right-Tail Probabilities
Appendix D: F Distribution
Glossary
Index

Editorial Reviews

This is a solid text that walks students through the entire process of empirical quantitative research methods in political science without being too math-heavy. Students will be able to read this book and come away with an increased understanding of how we use research methods in political science.

Amanda M. Rosen

I like the focus on empiricism and the attempt to illustrate numerous research puzzles throughout.

Anna Brigevich

This textbook is an informative and broad first foray into political science research methods that is appropriate for any early undergraduate student.

Ronald J. Mc Gauvran

A great overview of research methods written by and for political scientists.

Ewa Golebiowska

This textbook is an informative and broad first foray into political science research methods that is appropriate for any early undergraduate student.

Ronald J. McGauvran

This text is designed to illustrate important aspects of the research process applied to political science, to give readers the tools necessary not only to conduct empirical research projects but also to evaluate others' researchers, and to help students with modest mathematical backgrounds understand statistical calculations that are part of social science research. This fourth edition contains new exercises and cases, along with a new annotated research report, and a revised chapter on conducting a literature review. "Helpful hints" throughout the book are also new. Johnson teaches political science at the University of Delaware. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"The book is very clearly written and comprehensive and does a fine job in covering most of the essential criteria of a certain type of empirical political science research."

Current Edition Review—Jorgensen - Nick Jorgensen

Political Science Research Methods offers students a comprehensive and engaging view of both the scientific research process and the application of research methods. The authors skillfully integrate examples throughout the book that illustrate how scholars utilize methodological techniques to address substantive theoretical questions in political science. In so doing, the book systematically unpacks the foundation for understanding, evaluating, and producing scientific research. The companion workbook, Working with Political Science Research Methods, provides exercises and data sets to help students build an applied foundation for the statistical techniques they learn about in the text. The superb balance achieved between methodological theory and application makes the entire package an immensely valuable tool for both students and teachers

Bryan W. Marshall

Janet Buttolph Johnson and H.T. Reynolds have developed an outstanding research methods textbook that has wide applicability for both undergraduate and graduate courses. It has been the primary textbook in my undergraduate political analysis class for several years because it offers a sophisticated introduction to empirical political science and both qualitative and quantitative research methods, while presenting the material in a writing style that is easily accessible to undergraduate students. The range of methods discussed in the book and the many topical examples it provides has given me great flexibility to select exactly what I wanted to use in class. The companion workbook has been a great resource for homework assignments and in-class exercises and discussions. I consider this the leading textbook of its kind

Scott Silverstone

"What I really like about the book is its simplicity and straightforward language. Methods is usually a tough subject matter for students to wrap their heads around. This text I find cogent, clear, and 'doable' for students. "

"I truly believe this is one of the best texts for methods out there—for the range of students we have at my school in terms of ability and aptitude... Compared to other texts I have examined (and I have examined many), this one is the best, in my opinion, for my students."

Current Edition Review—Woodall - Gina Woodall

The authors do a great job in including many research topics in the text—it is the book's major strength. Also it is very well-organized, which helps students see the logical progression among topics. As the Instructor, I enjoy how the book's level of specificity.

Current Edition Review—Faulkner - Brandy Faulkner

"Political Science Research Methods' primary strengths are the intuitive and example-based discussions of the necessity of and the execution of research methods. Simply put, it is an easier book through which to understand the research process in political science, see examples of that research process in journals, and to begin to comprehend how the research process would be integrated in the student's own research program."

Current Edition Review—Sacko - David Sacko

I have found Johnson and Reynolds' Political Science Research Methods to be one of the most important texts which I have adopted, not only for this course, but for any one. Many methods texts which are published are directed at the social sciences in general. This text is superior to the more general social science texts and other political science methods texts with which I am familiar because it successfully engages students in building methodological and statistical literacy. The book incorporates much of the important foundational information that today's undergraduate political science major needs to learn. The need to study both human behavior as well as institutions requires a more focused course of study. This text is superb because it provides students with a host of applications specific to the discipline. It is accessible and yet it does not encourage lower order thinking. I am very likely to continue to use this text because of its comprehensiveness and design

Robin Lauermann