Introduction: Research Methods
in Political Science
May 12 , 2008
Ivan
Katchanovski, Ph.D.
POL 242Y-Y
Introduction to Research Methods
Course
• Introduction to research methods in political science
• The goal is to learn basic concepts and tools of
political analysis
• Emphasis
– Quantitative methods
– Practical application of statistical research methods
– Interpretation of statistical results from a political science
perspective
– Learning how to use SPSS for data analysis
2
Texts
• Required:
– Philip H. Pollock III. The Essentials of Political
Analysis, 2 edition, CQ Press, 2005
– Philip H. Pollock III. An SPSS Companion to Political
Analysis, 2 edition, CQ Press, 2006
• Includes CD with datasets
• Recommended:
– Earl R. Babbie, The Practice of Social Research, 11th
Edition Wadsworth, 2007
• Chapters listed in the syllabus are required
• On course reserve
3
Format and Grades
• Format :
– Lectures
– Computer labs
• Grades:
–
–
–
–
–
Lab exercises (8)
30%
Midterm test
20%
Final test (take home)
20%
Research paper (5-10pages) 20%
Class participation
10%
• Penalties:
– 2% penalties per day of lateness reduction in marks for lab
assignment
– 5% penalties per day of lateness reduction in marks for paper
4
SPSS
• SPSS: Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
– Originally developed at Stanford University in 1968
• By an American political scientist (Norman Nie)
• By a Canadian academic (Dale Bent)
• By a Stanford MBA (C. Hadlai Hull)
• SPSS 15 version available at FE 36
• SPSS 16 for U of T students version
– $55 plus taxes and CD
– Available at Information Commons Licensed Software
Office, Robarts Library, 1st Floor
– Not the same as more limited SPSS student version
• SPSS 16: CAD$3,957 plus taxes
5
Computer and Quantitative
Research Methods
First digital computer: Abacus
Human computer: one who computes
6
Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC)
• Invented and built in 1937-1942
• Speed up solutions of mathematical and statistical
problems
– by students
• No patent
• US District Court in 1973
– Recognized John Atanasoff as the inventor of the electronic
digital computer
– Annulled ENIAC Computer patents
• Eyesteelfilm (Montreal) documentary on the ABC:
– Atanasoff: The Secret History Of the Electronic Computer
(In development)
7
Unscientific Point of View of Politics:
Problem of Personal Bias
8
Foundations of Political Science
• Foundations of political science:
– Scientific logic
– Empirical observation
– Freedom from personal value judgments
• What is vs. what ought to be
• Major aspects of political science research:
– Theory
– Data collection
– Data analysis
9
Research Methods
Quantitative
Qualitative
• Quantitative Data
• Qualitative Data
– Numerical data
• Statistical
– Survey
– Comparative study
with large number of
cases
– Nonnumerical data
• Case study
• Archival research
• Comparative study
with small number of
cases
10
Paradigms and Theories in Political
Science
• Paradigm: A systematic theoretical and
methodological framework
– Behavioralist
– Rational choice
– Postmodernist
• Theory: a set of interrelated statements
intended to explain some aspect of political
– Can be empirically evaluated
11
Ethics of Political Science Research
• Voluntary participation in surveys or interviews
• Anonymity of survey respondents
• Approval of certain research projects from
Institutional Review Boards
• Falsification of data
• Falsification of results
• Plagiarism
• Ethics of co-authorship
• Academic integrity vs. commercial, political, and
personal interests
12