Course Description.

The principal objective of this course is to introduce students to research methods in social sciences. The popular press and other media are full of statistics, mostly percentages and difference between percentages. An understanding of research methods helps immeasurably in trying to sort out what reported statistics to regard seriously and what to take with a grain of salt. It is today almost impossible to read the scientific research literature, much less carry out such research, without a knowledge of research methods. Research methods derive from mathematics, therefore, they are based upon sound logical principles. When properly used, research methods actually make sense. Our task is to emphasize the presentation on the rationales, interpretations, and applications of the most commonly used research methods in social sciences, and political science in particular. Throughout our presentation a building-block approach is used, in which each new concept is shown to be a logical extension, variation, or combination of previously developed ones. Also, the position is taken that research methods fill one or more of three basic objectives, including data collection, data reduction, inference, and identification of associations among variables. With this and building-block approach, you will more easily see Aresearch methods@ as a unified subject area based on a handful of concepts and principles, rather than as a collection of disjointed techniques.

Most students tend to have some type of math anxiety. This course provides a non-mathematical way of teaching students research methods in political science, and social sciences in general. At the same time, this course covers all relevant topics thoroughly enough to meet the needs of all students. Therefore, I assume that the only recent math courses that students taking this course have had did not go beyond introductory algebra and students can do most of the onerous calculations by using computers.

Textbooks and Supplements:

1. Chava Frankfort-Nachmias and David Nachmias, Research Methods in the Social Sciences (New York: St. Martin=s Press, 2000).

2. Kenrick S. Thompson, Study Guide to Accompany Research Methods in the Social Sciences (New York: St. Martin=s Press, 2000).

3. Michael Lewis-Beck, Applied Regression (Newbury Park and London: Sage Publications, 1980).

4. A deck of cards and a Journal.

Computer Literacy:

All students are required to write their assignments with the assistance of a computer. You also need to be familiar with Excel or Lotus and statistical packages available on campus, especially SPPS (see your textbook, pp. 457-484).

Projects and Examinations:

Attendance and participation are required and will be done randomly. Class participation will be based on exercises from your AStudy Guide@ textbook and class lectures. Students are expected to work on five assignments. There will be ten Asurprised quizzes@ during the course of the semester. The bottom line is ABe ready every time the class meets.@ A mid term and a final are also expected. Late assignments will not be accepted. I expect students to keep a journal on Presidential Elections@ to write a final report.

Attendance and Participation (50 points each for a total of 100)

50 -45 - A

44.5-40 - B

39.5-35 - C

34.5-30 - D

29.9-00 - F

Mid-term B 100 points

150 -45 - A

44.5-40 - B

39.5-35 - C

34.5-30 - D

29.9-00 - F

Ten Surprised Quizzes (15 minutes each) B 200 points

Five Assignments B 300 points

Summary Report --Textbook, pp. 485-497-- 20 points

A Final Report: 80 points

Final 200 points

200-180 - A

179-160 - B

159-140 - C

139-120 - D

119- 00 - F

The final grade will be the sum of all the grades above:

1000-900 - A

899-800 - B

799-700 - C

699-600 - D

599-000 - F

Arrangements for students with disabilities.

I would like to hear from anyone in this class who has a disability that may require some modification of the seating, testing or other class requirements. I am reasonably sure we can work out whatever arrangements are needed. Please see me after class or during my office hours.

PART 1. FOUNDATIONS OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH

1. The Scientific Method and Conceptual Foundations

Thompson, pp. 1-24

Thompson, pp. 25-48

PART 2. DESIGN AND STRUCTURE OF RESEARCH

B. Cross-sectional and Quasi-experimental Designs

Read: Frankfort-Nachmias and Nachmias, pp. 87-135

Thompson, pp. 49-77

Thompson, pp. 78-90

Thompson, pp. 91-107

Note: First assignment due (see textbook, p. 66 and p. 159)

PART 3. DATA GATHERING TECHNIQUES

B. Qualitative research

Read: Frankfort-Nachmias and Nachmias, pp. 187-204; pp. 255-273

Thompson, pp. 108-119; pp. 148-157

B. Questionnaire construction

Read: Frankfort-Nachmias and Nachmias, pp. 205-254

Thompson, pp. 120-147

Note: Second assignment due (see textbook, p. 185 and p. 227)

Thompson, pp. 158-171

PART 4. DATA PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS

B. Data reduction

Read: Frankfort-Nachmias and Nachmias, pp. 303-317; pp. 319-350

Handout APlaying Cards and Learn Statistics.@

Thompson, pp. 174-181; pp. 182-198

B. Measurement Level and bivariate analysis

C. Parameter estimation

D. Hypothesis testing and tests of significance

Read: Frankfort-Nachmias and Nachmias, pp. 435-456

Thompson, pp. 199-211; pp. 239-251

Handout APlaying Cards@

Note: Third assignment due (see textbook, p. 316 and p. 349)

Thompson, pp. 227-238

Note: Fourth assignment due (see textbook, p. 254 and p. 432)

B. Two sample t tests

C. One-Way Analysis of variance

D. Bivariate regression

Read: Frankfort-Nachmias and Nachmias, pp. 351-386

Thompson, pp. 199-211

Lewis-Beck, pp. 1-25

Handout APlaying Cards@

B. Elaboration and control: Multiple regression

C. Multiple regression

D. Causal models and Path analysis

Read: Frankfort-Nachmias and Nachmias, pp. 385-412

Lewis-Beck, pp. 26-74

Note: Fifth assignment due (see textbook, p. 383, p. 454 and p. 411)