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Research Methods in Politics
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Research Methods in Politics



April 2008 | 352 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Research Methods in Politics is an accessible and student-friendly guide to the use of qualitative and quantitative methods in researching politics. This clearly written book is ideal for use on introductory methods courses and its helpful structure also makes it a useful guide for readers who are doing their own research project. Roger Pierce covers every angle in his overview of contemporary approaches to political research:
  • Part I: Introduction – gives a solid overview of the philosophy and principles of research.
  • Part II: Methodologies – presents qualitative and quantitative research methods, introduces research design and offers a critical review of selected methods.
  • Part III: Collecting Information – concentrates on methods of gathering information, such as interviews and focus groups, and discusses issues associated with ensuring quality of information.
  • Part IV: Analyzing and Interpreting the Information – deals with selecting and employing appropriate methods for analyzing and interpreting data, and covers the process of communicating research.
Methods for analyzing both quantitative and qualitative information are covered, including factor analysis and discourse analysis. The inclusion of chapter objectives, regular summaries, questions for discussion, and tasks and assignments, makes this the must-have text for anyone studying research methods as part of an undergraduate or graduate politics course.

 
PART ONE: INTRODUCTION
 
Introduction
 
Power in Research, Ethics, Data Protection and Bias
 
The Philosophy and Principles of Research
 
PART TWO: METHODOLOGIES
 
Qualitative versus Quantitative Methods
A Relevant Argument?

 
 
Collecting Data Sets
Case Studies, Experimental, Comparative, Longitudinal and Action Research Models

 
 
PART THREE: COLLECTING INFORMATION
 
Critically Evaluating Published Research
 
Evaluating Information
Validity, Reliability, Accuracy, Triangulation

 
 
Completing a Literature Review
Accessing Published Information

 
 
Asking Questions
Effective Elite Interviews, Vignettes, Projective Questions and Focus Groups

 
 
Questionnaire Surveys
 
Observation
 
PART FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS
 
Analyzing Research Data
The Process

 
 
PART FOUR A: QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
 
Calculating and Interpretating Descriptive Statistics
 
Using and Understanding Inferential Statistics
 
Testing for Association
 
Applying Factor Analysis and Other Advanced Techniques
 
PART FOUR B: QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS
 
Analyzing Qualitative Information
Classifying, Coding and Interpreting Information

 
 
Using Content Analysis
 
Understanding and Adopting Discourse and Narrative Analysis
 
PART FIVE: COMMUNICATING RESEARCH
 
Writing Up

excellent book for students who concerned with choosing relevant methods in politics.

Mr Ikrom Yakubov
Department of Politics, Dundee University
February 23, 2016

This is a valuable hands-on guide which can be particularly helpful to students who want to critically review and evaluate existing research.

Dr Kostas Gemenis
Political Science & Research Methods, Twente University
November 15, 2010

For instructors

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