PSCI 350: Research Methods and Design

http://www.wooster.edu/polisci/mkrain/rmd06.html

Fall Semester, 2006

MWF, 12:00-12:50 in Kauke 143

 

 

Professor:                                Matthew Krain (x2469, mkrain@wooster.edu), Kauke 104

                                                Office Hours: Monday, 2-4; Wednesday, 3-4; Thursday, 1-2, & by appointment

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course is structured to equip students with tools for completing empirical research in political science. We will read, discuss, and analyze descriptions and applications of the logic and methods of the social sciences. Along the way, students will identify an empirically testable research question of interest to them with the discipline of political science, situate it within the academic literature, construct a theoretical argument and a testable hypothesis, and develop a research design to test that hypothesis. The ultimate goal of the course is to prepare students for their Senior Independent Study Thesis experience by grounding them in the logic and methods of socio-political inquiry, and by enabling them to master these skills themselves. NOTE: This course serves as both the methodology requirement and the Junior Independent Study requirement for students within the Department of Political Science.

 

READINGS

We will be using the following books throughout the semester:

 

-      Johnson, Janet Buttolph and H. T. Reynolds (2005). Political Science Research Methods. 5th Edition. Washington, DC: CQ Press. (ISBN: 1568028741)

 

-      Lipson, Charles (2005) How to Write a BA Thesis: A Practical Guide from Your First Ideas to Your Finished Paper. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. (ISBN: 0226481263)

 

Additional readings will be available on the World-Wide-Web, via our class web page, at: http://www.wooster.edu/polisci/mkrain/rmd06.html, or will be placed on electronic reserve, accessible at: http://eres.library.denison.edu/coursepage.asp?cid=557 (password = "methods"). All readings MUST be completed by the class session for which they are assigned. They will be necessary background for class, and you will be held responsible for them, both in class and on assignments and exams.

 

GRADING

The grades will be assigned as follows:

-      25% = Midterm (Exam #1)

-      25% = Final (Exam #1)

-      25% = Junior Independent Study Paper

-      10% = Quizzes, Problems Sets, and other Homework Assignments

-      15% = Professionalism                          

 

Junior Independent Study Paper (25% of overall grade)

Each student will be responsible for a significant paper – the Junior Independent Study Paper – due at the beginning of class on November 27th. This paper provides students with an opportunity to more closely explore one research question in particular, review the relevant literature, develop a theoretical framework, derive hypotheses, and design a study that would test these hypotheses. Each student will choose his or her topic in consultation with the instructor. Possible topics will be discussed in class. Further details will be distributed on the second day of class and will be discussed by the instructor in class. This assignment is designed to test students' abilities to apply the writing, methods and design skills in a practical manner to a research question of their own. The goal is to develop and hone the skills of the students to design doable research projects, including their Senior Independent Study Projects. This project is worth 25% of your overall class grade.

 

Examinations (50% of overall grade)

There will be two formal examinations over the course of the semester. The Midterm (Exam #1) will be held in class on October 13th. The Final (Exam #2) will be given on the day and at the time stipulated by the Registrar, Tuesday, December 12th, at 7pm. Each exam will be worth 25% of your overall grade. Taken together, they are worth in total, 50% of your overall grade.

 

Quizzes, Problem Sets, And Other Homework Assignments  (10% of overall grade)

There will be several homework assignments given throughout the semester. Some will involve analysis of published research. Some will require students to collect or analyze data. Others will involve exercises culled from the texts or from outside sources. Students will also, from time to time, be given problem sets involving calculations and analysis of quantitative material. Furthermore, at the discretion of the instructor, the class will complete in-class "pop" quizzes. Quizzes may cover all material from the text, lectures, class discussions, and homework assignments. The sum of these homework assignments, problem sets, and quizzes will total 10% of the overall grade for the class.

 

Professionalism (15% of overall grade)

"Professionalism" refers to factors such as attendance, promptness, degree of preparedness, participation, courtesy, overall improvement, and other intangibles, to be evaluated and assigned at the discretion of the instructor. This component is worth 15% of your overall course grade. Please note that participation is encouraged and required. Due to the short period of time we will have in which to cover a great deal of material, your input and feedback is essential to the smooth and efficient running of the class. To that end, be sure to have read the materials pertaining to that day's class BEFORE that class period! Discussion may have to be curtailed, however, in the interests of covering the material.

 

NOTES

Note #1: Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. Any missed assignment or unexcused exam absence is subject to an automatic failing grade for the course (in other words, you cannot pass the class unless you do all of the work!). Late written assignments will be graded down one full letter grade for each day late. A paper handed in five minutes after the deadline is considered a day late. If you anticipate missing an exam or a paper deadline, consult with the instructor as soon as possible.

 

NOTE #2: Students are encouraged to study together and assist one another in learning the material. It is assumed that you have done your own work. In short, DON'T CHEAT AND DON'T PLAGIARIZE (http://www.wooster.edu/library/plagiarism/). Students are reminded that they are obliged to understand, to uphold, and to comply with the Code of Academic Integrity at the College of Wooster. If you have doubts about whether something violates academic integrity, check the Code of Academic Integrity, located in the Scot's Key (http://www.wooster.edu/policies), or at http://www.wooster.edu/policies/coai.pdf. Students who do not understand the Code after having read it should make an appointment to see me to discuss it; indeed, I welcome this discussion and encourage students to see me in advance of any assignment about which they have doubts or questions. ANY VIOLATION OF THE CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MEANS THE STUDENT'S IMMEDIATE FAILURE IN THE COURSE, AS WELL AS POSSIBLE SUBSEQUENT ACADEMIC DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

 

Note #3: Students are encouraged to discuss assignments with me during office hours. However, students seeking to change their grade on an assignment should be advised that I reserve the right to alter your grade in either direction (i.e.- if new problems are found during the re-grade the grade would go down).

 

Note #4: It is your responsibility to inform me ahead of time about factors that are likely to interfere with your performance in the class. Measures for students with disabilities, conflicts of an academic or non-academic nature, non-native speakers/writers of English and other special issues will be taken in compliance with the college's policies.

 

 

SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND READINGS

 

 

8/28: Introduction to "Research Methods and Design (for Political Science)"

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 1

-      Lipson – Ch. 1

-      The College of Wooster's Code of Academic Integrity http://www.wooster.edu/policies/coai.pdf

 

8/30: What is Political "Science"?

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 2

-      King, Gary, Robert O. Keohane and Sidney Verba (1994). "The Science in Social Science" in Designing Social Inquiry. Princeton: Princeton University Press, pp. 3-33. http://www.pupress.princeton.edu/chapters/s5458.pdf

 

9/1 – CLASS CANCELLED: Dr. Krain @ American Political Science Assn. Annual Meeting

[USE THIS TIME TO BEGIN UPCOMING READING!!!]

 

9/4: Early Planning of the Research Process: Where Do I Start? (Research Question) What's My

       Short-Term Goal? (Proposal) ...Semester Goal? (Junior IS) ...Long-Term Goal? (Senior IS)

-      Lipson – Chs. 2, 4, 5, 7, 13, 14 & 19 [and skim Chs. 8-11 as you write Junior IS!]

-      Department of Political Science (2004). Independent Study Handbook. Wooster, OH: The College of Wooster. http://www.wooster.edu/polisci/ISHandbook.pdf

 

9/6: The Importance of Theories, Assumptions and Concepts

-      Van Evera, Stephen (1997). Guide to Methods for Students of Political Science. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press – Ch. 1: "Hypotheses, Laws, and Theories" (Available on E-RESERVE) [read pp. 7-27].

-      Frankfort-Nachmias, Chava and David Nachmias (1996). "Conceptual Foundations of Research," Research Methods in the Social Sciences. 5th Ed. New York: St. Martin's Press (Ch. 2 – available on E-RESERVE). [read pp. 35-48].

-      Krain, Matthew (2005). "International Intervention and the Severity of Genocides and Politicides" International Studies Quarterly 49, 3: 363-387 [read pp. 363-367]. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/science?_volkey=00208833%2349%23363%233

 

9/8: What is a "Literature Review"? Why Should I Conduct One? How Do I Write One?

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 5 [read pp. 130-135, skim the rest of the chapter].

-      Knopf, Jeffrey W. (2006). "Doing a Literature Review" PS: Political Science and Politics 39, 1: 127-132. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=10490965&issue=v39i0001&article=127_dalr

-      Palmer, Barbara and Dennis M. Simon (2005). "When Women Run Against Women: The Hidden Influence of Female Incumbents in the U.S. House of Representatives, 1956-2002," Politics & Gender 1, 1: 39-63 [read pp. 39-47]. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/science?_volkey=1743923x%231%2339%231

-      Lian, Bradley and John R. Oneal (1993). "Presidents, the Use of Military Force, and Public Opinion" Journal of Conflict Resolution 37, 2: 277-300 [read pp. 277-283]. http://www.jstor.org/view/00220027/ap010145/01a00030/0

 

9/11: Becoming a More Effective Researcher: Finding and Referencing Sources

-      Lipson – Ch. 3

-      The College of Wooster's Code of Academic Integrity http://www.wooster.edu/policies/coai.pdf

-      American Political Science Association (2001). Style Manual for Political Science. Washington, DC: American Political Science Association. (Available on E-RESERVE).

-      "Unethical Use of Source Material: A Professional Example" (2 HANDOUTS)

 

9/13, 9/15: Thinking Like a (Positivist) Researcher: Variables, Hypotheses and Relationships

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 4

-      Van Evera, Stephen (1997). Guide to Methods for Students of Political Science. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press – Ch. 1: "Hypotheses, Laws, and Theories"  (Available on E-RESERVE) [read pp. 27-43].

-      Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, "Basic Elements of Research" (Ch. 3 – available on E-RESERVE) [read pp. 55-66].

-      Krain, Matthew (2005). "International Intervention and the Severity of Genocides and Politicides" International Studies Quarterly 49, 3: 363-387 [read pp. 367-374]. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/science?_volkey=00208833%2349%23363%233

 

9/18: Thinking Like a (Post-Positivist) Researcher: Frameworks & Heuristics

-      READINGS TO BE ANNOUNCED

 

9/20, 9/22: Operationalization: From Conceptualization to Measurement

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 6

-      Lian, Bradley and John R. Oneal. 1993. "Presidents, the Use of Military Force, and Public Opinion" Journal of Conflict Resolution, 37 (2): 277-300 [read pp. 281-283]. http://www.jstor.org/view/00220027/ap010145/01a00030/0

-      Krain, Matthew (2005). "International Intervention and the Severity of Genocides and Politicides" International Studies Quarterly 49, 3: 363-387 [read pp. 374-378]. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/science?_volkey=00208833%2349%23363%233

-      Yates, Jeff, and Andrew Whitford (1998) "Presidential Power and the United States Supreme Court," Political Research Quarterly 51, 2: 539-550 [read pp. 539-543]. http://www.jstor.org/view/10659129/ap020023/02a00110/0

 

9/25, 9/27: Research Design: The Logic of Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 3 [read pp. 49-74].

-      Campbell, Donald T. and H. Laurence Ross (1968). "The Connecticut Crackdown on Speeding: Time-Series Data in Quasi-Experimental Analysis." Law and Society Review 3, 1: 33-54. http://www.jstor.org/view/00239216/sp020058/02x0619u/0  

-      Ansolabehere, Stephen, Shanto Iyengar, Adam Simon and Nicholas Valentino (1994). "Does Attack Advertising Demobilize the Electorate?" American Political Science Review 88, 4: 829-838. http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-0554%28199412%2988%3A4%3C829%3ADAADTE%3E2.0.CO%3B2-E

 

9/29: Non-Experimental Designs

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 3 [read pp. 74-88].

-      Van Evera, Stephen (1997). Guide to Methods for Students of Political Science. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press – Ch. 2: "What Are Case Studies?" (Available on E-RESERVE)

 

                                        10/2: RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY (YOM KIPPUR) CLASS CANCELLED

 

10/4, 10/6: Case Study Techniques – Making the Most of a Single Case

-      Lipson – Ch. 6

-      Moskowitz, Eric S. (1987). “Pluralism, Elitism, and the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act” Political Science Quarterly 102, 1: 93-112. http://www.jstor.org/view/00323195/di980415/98p0310u/0

-      Kalyvas, Stathis N. (1999). "Wanton and Senseless? The Logic of Massacres in Algeria." Rationalty and Society. 11, 3: 243-285. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/science?_volkey=10434631%2311%23243%233

 

10/9, 10/11: Comparative Case Studies

 -     Kaarbo, Juliet and Ryan K. Beasley (1999). "A Practical Guide to the Comparative Case Study Method in Political Psychology." Political Psychology, 20, 2: 369-391. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/science?_volkey=0162895x%2320%23369%232

-      Walt, Stephen (1996). Revolution and War, Ithaca: Cornell University Press (Available on E-RESERVE) [read pp.1-17]

-      Day, Margaux (2006). Put Your Money Where Your Patients Are: A Study of International Funding For AIDS Treatment. Senior Independent Study Thesis – Department of Political Science, The College of Wooster. [read pp. 44-50; 55-65; 94-99]. http://www.wooster.edu/ir/mday/

 

10/13: MIDTERM (EXAM #1)

 

                                        10/16, 10/18: FALL BREAK! – NO CLASSES

 

10/20: Archival Research

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 8

 

10/23: Content Analysis

-      Insch, Gary S., Jo Ellen Moore and Lisa Murphy (1997). "Content Analysis In Leadership Research: Examples, Procedures, and Suggestions for Future Use" Leadership Quarterly 8, 1: 1-25. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/science?_volkey=10489843%238%231%231

-      Segal, Jeffrey A. and Albert D. Cover (1989). "Ideological Values and the Votes of U.S. Supreme Court Justices" American Political Science Review 83, 2: 557-565. http://www.jstor.org/view/00030554/di961033/96p0199j/0

 

10/25: Determining What to Observe / The Logic of Sampling

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 9 [read pp. 238-254].

-      Ansolabehere, Stephen, Shanto Iyengar, Adam Simon and Nicholas Valentino (1994). "Does Attack Advertising Demobilize the Electorate?" American Political Science Review 88, 4: 829-838 [review p. 831]. http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-0554%28199412%2988%3A4%3C829%3ADAADTE%3E2.0.CO%3B2-E

 

10/27: Ethnographic Research

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 7 [read pp. 188-196; 199-202]

-      Fenno, Richard (1978). "Appendix – Notes on Method: Participant-Observation" pp. 249-295 in Home Style: House Members and their Districts. New York: Little, Brown. (Available on E-RESERVE).

 

10/30, 11/1: Interviewing

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 10 [read pp. 271-275].

-      Leech, Beth L. (2002). "Asking Questions: Techniques for Semistructured Interviews" PS: Political Science & Politics 35, 4: 665-668. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=10490965&issue=v35i0004

-      Goldstein, Kenneth (2002). "Getting in the Door: Sampling and Completing Elite Interviews" PS: Political Science & Politics 35, 4: 669-672. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=10490965&issue=v35i0004

-      Woliver, Laura A. (2002). "Ethical Dilemmas in Personal Interviewing" PS: Political Science & Politics 35, 4: 677-678. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=10490965&issue=v35i0004

-      Berry, Jeffrey M. (2002). "Validity and Reliability Issues in Elite Interviewing" PS: Political Science & Politics 35, 4: 679-682. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=10490965&issue=v35i0004

 

11/3: Survey Research

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 10 [read pp. 275-299].

-      "Polling 101" (2004). Roper Center for Public Opinion Research. http://www.ropercenter.uconn.edu/pom/polling101.html.

-      Althaus, Scott L. and Devon M. Largio (2004). "When Osama Became Saddam: Origins and Consequences of the Change in America's Public Enemy #1" PS: Political Science & Politics 37, 4: 795-799. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=10490965&issue=v37i0004&article=795_wobsoatciape

-      Davis, Darren W. and Brian D. Silver (2004). "Civil Liberties vs. Security: Public Opinion in the Context of the Terrorist Attacks on America" American Journal of Political Science 48, 1: 28-46 [read pp. 28-35, 44-45]. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=00925853&issue=v48i0001

-      University of Pennsylvania Library (2004). Public Opinion Polls - Research Guide. University of Pennsylvania. http://gethelp.library.upenn.edu/cgi-bin/common/pfp.cgi?/guides/polisci/polls. [skim - research resource!]

 

11/6, 11/8: Descriptive Statistics: Frequencies, Graphs, Central Tendency & Dispersion

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 11 [read pp. 305-329].

-      Lipson – Ch. 12

-      Lian, Bradley and John R. Oneal. 1993. "Presidents, the Use of Military Force, and Public Opinion" Journal of Conflict Resolution, 37 (2): 277-300 [read pp. 283-287]. http://www.jstor.org/view/00220027/ap010145/01a00030/0

-      Davis, Darren W. and Brian D. Silver. 2004. "Civil Liberties vs. Security: Public Opinion in the Context of the Terrorist Attacks on America" American Journal of Political Science 48, 1: 28-46 [read Tables 1-2, Figures 1-4]. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=00925853&issue=v48i0001

 

 

11/10: How Do I Write Up My Methodology Sction of my Imdependent Study?

 

-      NO NEW READINGS (Review PSCI I.S.Handbook)

 

11/13, 11/15: Special Types of Frequency Distributions: The Normal Curve and Standard Scores

-      Sanocki – Ch. 4 [HANDOUT]

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 11 [read pp. 329-332].

 

11/17: Distribution of Samples and Sample Means; Confidence Intervals

-      Sanocki – Ch. 5 [HANDOUT]

-      Johnson & Reynolds– Ch. 9 [read pp. 254-266].

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 11 [read pp. 332-336].

-      Davis, Darren W. and Brian D. Silver. 2004. "Civil Liberties vs. Security: Public Opinion in the Context of the Terrorist Attacks on America" American Journal of Political Science 48, 1: 28-46 [read Figures 1-4]. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=00925853&issue=v48i0001

 

11/20: Levels of Significance and Statistical Significance Testing

-      Johnson & Reynolds – Ch. 12 [read pp. 339-341, 384-392].

-      Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, "Inferences" (Ch. 19 - Available on E-RESERVE) [read pp. 483-487].

-      Day, Margaux (2006). "Regression Results" in Put Your Money Where Your Patients Are: A Study ff International Funding For AIDS Treatment. Senior Independent Study Thesis – Department of Political Science, The College of Wooster. [read pp. 40-43]. http://www.wooster.edu/ir/mday/

 

11/22, 11/24: THANKSGIVING BREAK! – NO CLASSES

 

11/27: Contingency Tables and Measures of Association

ˆ JUNIOR IS PAPERS DUE IN CLASS

-      Johnson & Reynolds– Ch. 12 [read pp. 341-366].

-      Johnson & Reynolds– Ch. 13 [read pp. 405-415].

-      Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, "Bivariate Analysis" (Ch. 16 - Available on E-RESERVE) [read pp. 400-413].

-      Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, "Inferences" (Ch. 19 - Available on E-RESERVE) [read pp. 496-498].

-      Licklider, Roy (1995). "The Consequences of Negotiated Settlements in Civil Wars, 1945–1993." American Political Science Review 89, 3: 681-690. http://www.jstor.org/view/00030554/di975223/97p04537/0

 

11/29: Hypothesis Testing Using Statistics

-      Johnson & Reynolds– Ch. 12 [read pp. 366-372].

-      Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, "Inferences" (Ch. 19 - Available on E-RESERVE) [read pp. 479-481 & 488-492].

-      Keith, Linda Camp (1999). "The United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Does It Make a Difference in Human Rights Behavior?" Journal of Peace Research 36, 1: 95-118 [read pp 95-106]. http://www.jstor.org/view/00223433/ap020160/02a00070/0

 

12/1: Correlation

-      Johnson & Reynolds– Ch. 12 [read pp. 392-396].

-      Segal, Jeffrey A. and Albert D. Cover (1989). "Ideological Values and the Votes of U.S. Supreme Court Justices" American Political Science Review 83, 2: 557-565 [read pp. 561-563].  http://www.jstor.org/view/00030554/di961033/96p0199j/0

-      Walker, Scott and Steven C. Poe (2002). "Does Cultural Diversity Affect Countries' Respect for Human Rights?" Human Rights Quarterly 24, 1: 237-263. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=1085794x&issue=v24i0001

 

12/4, 12/6, 12/8: Linear Regression

-      Johnson & Reynolds– Ch. 12 [read pp. 372-392].

-      Johnson & Reynolds– Ch. 13 [read pp. 417-429].

-      Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, "Bivariate Analysis" (Ch. 16 - Available on E-RESERVE) [read pp. 414-420].

-      Day, Margaux (2006). "Methodology for Statistical Tests" and "Regression Results" in Put Your Money Where Your Patients Are: A Study ff International Funding For AIDS Treatment. Senior Independent Study Thesis – Department of Political Science, The College of Wooster. [read pp. 33-39; review pp. 40-43]. http://www.wooster.edu/ir/mday/

-      Davis, Darren W. and Brian D. Silver (2004). "Civil Liberties vs. Security: Public Opinion in the Context of the Terrorist Attacks on America" American Journal of Political Science 48, 1: 28-46 [read pp. 35-44]. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=00925853&issue=v48i0001

-      Keith, Linda Camp (1999). "The United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Does It Make a Difference in Human Rights Behavior?" Journal of Peace Research 36, 1: 95-118 [read pp 106-113]. http://www.jstor.org/view/00223433/ap020160/02a00070/0

 

12/12: FINAL (EXAM #2) @ 7pm