Dr. John J. Quinn
Political Science Methodology
POL 300
Office: McClain 206D x4578
Required Texts Library Session and Research for POL 300
In this course, students learn the fundamentals concerning the science of political science. We explore the differences between inductive and deductive inquiry, how the “normal” research process unfolds, how to construct theories, how to test theories, and how to operationalize variables in order to engage in a conversation about testing. We also examine some of the basics vis-à-vis the formation of hypotheses, testing hypotheses, the collection of data, the preparations of a literature review, and how to prepare a research paper — in fact, the writing of a research paper is among the most important assignments in the course. This class will also present the basic ideas and concepts of statistics and how they can illustrate the relationships among and between variables (e.g., measurements of central tendency, measures of association, and measures of statistical significance). Students will have practical “hands-on” experience with such statistical techniques using the program SPSS.
Rich, Richard C., Craig Leonard Brians, Jarol B, Manheim, and Lars Willnat. Empirical Political Analysis: Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods 9th Edition. New York: Routledge, 2018. [Rich et al., hereafter]
George, Darren and Paul Mallery, IBM SPSS Statistics 23 Step by Step: A Simple Guide and Reference. 14th Edition. New York: Routledge, 2016. [G&M hereafter]
Recommended texts:
Scott, Gregory M., and Stephen M. Garrison, The Political Science Student Writer’s Manual. 8th Edition. Boston: Longman, 2012. [earlier editions fine]
Brians, Craig Leonard, Lars Willnat, Jarol B, Manheim, and Richard C. Rich. Empirical Political
Analysis: Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods 8th Edition. Boston: Longman Publishers USA, 2011.
Scott, Gregory M., and Stephen M. Garrison, The Political Science Student Writer’s Manual. 7th Edition. Boston: Longman, 2012.
George, Darren and Paul Mallery, IBM SPSS Statistics 19 Step by Step: A Simple Guide and Reference. 12th Edition.Boston: Pearson, 2012.
Berry, William D. and Mitchell S, Sanders, Understanding Multivariate Research: A Primer for Beginning Social Scientists. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2000.