Introduction
- 1. Studying Politics Scientifically Andrew Martin PS 372
- 2. Politics vs. Political Science
- 3. How do political scientists acquire scientific research? They employ empirical research methods. Research is based on “objective” observations Well-defined principles for collecting, analyzing and evaluating information. Empirical research generates scientific knowledge.
- 4. Merits of empirical research Allows scholars and students to: Test existing political theories Generate new, scientific knowledge Ever-changing body of literature over time
- 5. Aims of Political Science Description Explanation Prediction
- 6. Applied Research Research conducted to accumulate knowledge for practical purposes (e.g. a problem in need of a solution).
- 8. Theoretical research Theoretical research -- Research conducted to satisfy intellectual curiosity and is not primarily concerned with a practical application.
- 9. Maoz and Russett (1993) Findings: Democratic states are in general about as conflict-and war-prone as non-democracies, but democracies have rarely clashed with one another in violent conflict.
- 10. Qualitative research Research is more descriptive, historical, and tends to include fewer studies or observations.
- 11. Approaches to Qualitative Research Scholar participation Direct observation In-Depth Interviews Analysis of Documents and Materials Collected by observing what people do and say
- 12. Quantitative Research Is the investigation of quantitative properties and phenomena and their relationships.
- 13. Quantitative Research Employs mathematical models Concepts are measured quantitatively. Transforms concepts into empirical concepts that can be measured mathematically
- 14. Primary Research Fields American Politics American Political Institutions American Political Behavior U.S. State Politics Public Policy
- 17. Politics-Administration Dichotomy Administration Politics Wood and Waterman
- 18. Primary Research Fields Comparative Politics Regional Politics/Political Culture Democratization/Elections Civil/Ethnic Conflict Comparative Political Institutions
- 20. Primary Research Fields International Relations International Political Economy War and International Conflict Diplomacy/Foreign Policy International Institutions
- 21. Research Journals Most popular for American politics: The American Political Science Review The American Journal of Political Science Journal of Politics
- 22. Public Support for Iraq War