Methods for Conducting Political Research
Course
Political Science I
Unit VII
Research
Methods
(Statistics)
Essential
Question
How do you
conduct political
research?
TEKS
§130.183(c)
(11)(A)
Prior Student
Learning
None
Estimated Time
8-10 hours
Rationale
This lesson introduces students to methods for conducting political research and
to the ways political research can be used to answer political hypotheses.
Objectives
The students will be able to:
1. Create hypotheses and conduct political research
2. Differentiate between dependent and independent variables
3. Conduct sampling to answer hypotheses
4. Understand margins of error in data collected
Engage
Create an online survey using a free online survey site. The survey should have
five political science-related questions. Have the students complete the survey
using their own devices or computers with Internet access. After the students
have completed the survey, discuss the accuracy of the poll and whether the
students think the information provided accurately represents opinions of the
school, city, state, nation, etc. (Note: one online survey site may be found by
conducting an Internet search for the key words: poll everywhere.) Use the
Discussion Rubric for assessment.
Key Points
I. How do you develop hypotheses and conduct political research?
A. Hypotheses
1. Researchers asking questions
a) Researchers ask questions to establish whether there is any
relationship between two variables
b) The hypotheses is used to develop the basis for political
research
c) Hypotheses typically have three different parts
(1) Predictive hypotheses − predict future values of a
measurement
(2) Comparative hypotheses − make comparisons between
groups of people, companies, countries, products, etc.
(3) Association hypotheses − deal with the relationship or
association between two or more variables
d) Hypotheses are used to explain the researcher’s observations
that are either true or untrue
(1) For example, “More Americans over 50 vote as compared
to American voters over 30”
2. Hypotheses testing can be used to determine outcomes
a) A single subject
b) A single group or sample
c) Two or more groups
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B. Conducting research
1. Research is used to test hypotheses
a) The process of gathering or accumulating data might come in
the form of surveys, questionnaires, personal interviews, or
from reading articles
b) Research that is gathered must be arranged, classified,
analyzed, and interpreted to see if the information is credible in
determining the outcomes of the hypotheses
c) The final step in conducting research is the verification of
conclusions that were made from the research
d) Most political research focuses on five fields of inquiry
(1) History, theory, and philosophy of politics
(2) American or international politics
(3) Comparative politics
(4) Public administration
(5) International relations
II. What is the difference between independent and dependent variables in
political research?
A. Variables
1. Identifying the dependent variable
a) The dependent variable is the variable that is affected by other
variables
b) Changes in the dependent variable are caused by the
independent variable
(1) For example: “poverty causes crime”; the level of crime is
the dependent variable
c) The dependent variable can often be considered the prediction
in your hypothesis
d) It will be the primary focus of the research paper
2. Identifying the independent variable
a) The independent variable is said to cause the change in the
dependent variable
(1) For example: “poverty causes crime”; poverty is the
independent variable
b) The independent variable can be considered the predictor
variable
c) The independent variable in a research project is used to
explain the dependent variable
d) It is the instrument used to explain another variable
III. How do you collect samples from public opinion polls?
A. Types of polls
1. Tracking polls
a) Were first introduced in 1992 by news organizations
b) Were introduced to allow presidential candidates to monitor
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short-term campaign developments and the effects of campaign
strategies
c) Involve small samples, usually of registered voters, and they
are conducted every twenty-four hours
(1) The results are then combined into moving three-to-fiveday averages
2. Internet Polls
a) Scientific sampling strategies that can be used to predict
outcomes and gauge opinions
b) The people used in these polls are typically 3,000
representative volunteers
c) These Internet polls are more accurate than straw polls
because the survey group accurately reflects the population
(1) Straw polls are unscientific political polls that allow
anyone to participate; therefore, they are less accurate
than Internet polls
3. Push Polls
a) Contain questions intended to produce information that helps
pollsters understand strengths and weaknesses
b) Has questions that are designed to give respondents some
negative or even untruthful information so that the pollster may
gauge their response
c) Have questions that are intended to sway the respondents’
opinion in a particular way
B. Conducting polls
1. Determining content
a) Most social scientists place the greatest stock in systematic
analyses conducted using telephone or person-to-person
surveys
b) Before conducting the polls, the pollsters must determine the
content and the phrasing of the questions
c) Determining the content is critical to obtaining the desired
results
d) Wording of a question can produce skewed results
(1) Questions should be neutral so that they do not put
respondents on the spot or insight highly emotional
responses
2. Selecting the sample
a) Since it is impossible to poll every person in the US, pollsters
rely upon sample groups for results
b) Pollsters then select a sample of approximately 3,000
participants
(1) The demographics of this sample group should accurately
reflect the target demographic
c) It is important to remember that a large sample group does not
mean the results will be more accurate
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IV. What is a margin of error in sampling?
A. Errors in sampling
1. Margin of error
a) All polls contain errors, regardless of sample size or the way the
poll was conducted
b) The margin of error is the measure of accuracy in a poll
c) Typically in a poll with 3,000 participants, the margin of error is
plus or minus 3 percentage points
(1) Three percentage points can be added or subtracted from
the poll results
d) Is a statistical calculation of the difference in results between a
poll of a randomly drawn sample and a poll of the entire
population
2. Sampling error
a) The accuracy of any poll depends on the quality of the sample
that was drawn
b) Small samples, if properly drawn, can be very accurate if each
unit in the universe has an equal opportunity to be sampled
c) If a pollster fails to sample a certain population his or her results
will be skewed
Activities
Conducting Political Research – Have the students write a 3-to-5-page political
research paper. Have the students develop a hypothesis to a political question
and then conduct political research to determine the results of their hypothesis.
The students can use the Internet or library to conduct research and should
include scholarly journals or articles. The students can also use polling to
conduct research. The results of the poll should be included in their research
paper. Use the Research Rubric for assessment.
Assessments
Methods for Conducting Political Research Quiz and Key
Discussion Rubric
Individual Work Rubric
Research Rubric
Materials
Methods for Conducting Political Research computer-based presentation
Methods for Conducting Political Research Key Terms
Computers with Internet access and/or other resource materials
Resources
Edwards, George, Martin Wattenberg, and Robert Lineberry. Government in
America: People, Politics and Policy. 15. New York City: Longman, 2011.
Chapter 17 & 21. Print.
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Ever, Stephen. Guide to Methods for Students of Political Science. Ithaca:
Cornell UP, 1997. Print.
Harrison, Brigid, and Jean Harris. American Democracy Now. 2. New York City:
McGrawHill Company, 2011. Chapter 15 & 18. Print.
Le Roy, Michael. Research Methods in Political Science: An Introduction Using
Microcase. 8th ed. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2013. Print.
McNabb, David. Research Methods for Political Science: Quantitative and
Qualitiative Approaches. 2nd ed. New York City: M.E Sharpe, 2010. Print.
O'Conner, Karen, Larry Sabato, and Alixandra Yanus. American Government:
Roots and Reform. 2011. New York City: Longman, 2011. Chapter 4 & 18.
Print.
Patterson, Thomas. The American Democracy. 9th. New York City: McGraw Hill
Higher Education, 2009. Ch. 15 & 18. Print.
Schmidt, Steffan, Mack Shelley, Barbara Bardes, and Lynne Ford. American
Government and Politics Today. 2011-2012. Boston: Wadsworth Cenage
Learning, 2012. Chapter 17 &19. Print.
Accommodations for Learning Differences
For reinforcement, the students will create a T-chart in which they determine the
qualities of independent and dependent variables. Use the Individual Work
Rubric for assessment.
For enrichment, the students will conduct a school-wide climate survey using an
online survey website in which they can determine the students’ opinions on the
operations of the school. Use the Individual Work Rubric for assessment.
State Education Standards
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education
§130.183. Political Science I (One to Two Credits).
(11) The student applies the concepts of statistical analysis to political
science. The student is expected to:
(A)
examine concepts used in research such as theories,
hypotheses, independent and dependent variables,
sampling, reliability, validity, and generalizability; and
College and Career Readiness Standards
Social Studies Standards
IV. Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Information
B. Research and methods
1. Use established research methodologies.
3. Gather, organize, and display the results of data and research.
4. Identify and collect sources.
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Methods for Conducting Political Research Key Terms
Association hypothesis − a hypothesis that deals with the relationship or association between
two or more variables
Comparative hypothesis − a hypothesis that attempts to make a comparison between groups of
people, companies, countries, products, etc.
Dependent variable − what is measured in the research and what is affected by the independent
variable
Independent variable − the variable used to explain another variable because it is not affected
by any other variable
Internet poll − using the Internet to conduct scientific sampling to predict outcomes
Margin of error − a measure of the accuracy of a public opinion poll
Predictive hypotheses − a hypothesis that is used to predict future values of a measurement
Push poll − a special type of poll that both provides information to campaigns about candidate
strengths and weaknesses and attempts to skew public opinion about a candidate
Sampling error − the level of confidence in the findings of a public opinion poll; the more people
interviewed the more confident one can be of the results
Tracking poll − polls that measure changes in public opinion over the course of days, weeks, or
months by repeatedly asking respondents the same questions and measuring changes in
their responses
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Name:_________________________
Date:___________________________
Methods for Conducting Political Research Quiz
1. _____What is used to develop political research?
A Independent variables
B Dependent variables
C Hypotheses
D Polling
2. _____Testing a hypothesis can be done by testing which of the following?
A A single subject
B A single group
C Two or more groups
D All of the above
3. _____Which of the following is not used to conduct political research?
A Attending political rallies or speeches
B Conducting a personal interview
C Formulating a questionnaire
D Conducting a survey
4. _____Changes in the dependent variable are caused by which of the following factors?
A Independent variable
B Sample group
C Methods of conducting research
D Margin of error
5. _____Which of the following polls is conducted on a daily or weekly basis?
A Exit poll
B Tracking poll
C Internet poll
D Push poll
6. _____The margin of error for a sample of 3,000 people is typically which of the following?
A +/- 2percent
B +/- 3 percent
C +/- 4 percent
D +/- 5 percent
7. _____Which of the following polls is voluntary, unscientific, and often inaccurate?
A Telephone poll
B Exit poll
C Push poll
D Straw poll
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8. _____The final step in conducting political research is which of the following?
A Verification of conclusions
B Collecting all the data for analysis
C Determining which data will be used to support hypotheses
D Interpreting the data collected
9. _____Political research can be conducted in which of the following fields?
A International relations
B Comparative politics
C Public administration
D All of the above
10. _____The most accurate polls are dependent upon which of the following?
A The method in which it is conducted
B The number of people that are sampled
C The quality of the sample
D None of the above
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Methods for Conducting Political Research Quiz Key
1. C
2. D
3. A
4. A
5. B
6. B
7. D
8. A
9. D
10. C
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Name_______________________________________
Date_______________________________
Discussion Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Participates in group discussion
Encourages others to join the
conversation
Keeps the discussion progressing
to achieve goals
Shares thoughts actively while
offering helpful recommendations to
others
Gives credit to others for their ideas
Respects the opinions of others
Involves others by asking questions
or requesting input
Expresses thoughts and ideas
clearly and effectively
Total Points (32 pts.)
Comments:
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Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Individual Work Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Follows directions
Student completed the work as directed,
following the directions given, in order and to the
level of quality indicated
Time management
Student used time wisely and remained on task
100% of the time
Organization
Student kept notes and materials in a neat,
legible, and organized manner. Information was
readily retrieved
Evidence of learning
Student documented information in his or her
own words and can accurately answer questions
related to the information retrieved
*Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
11
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Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Research Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Question/goal
Student identified and communicated a question
or goal of the research
Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Conclusion/Summary
Student drew insightful conclusions and
observations from the information gathered.
Information is organized in a logical manner
Communication
Student communicated the information gathered
and summary or conclusions persuasively.
Student demonstrated skill in the use of media
used to communicate the results of research
Reflection
Student reflected on the importance of the
research and its potential application
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
12
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