Department of Political Studies Research Methods in the Study of Politics

Department of Political Studies
POLS 3950 A01 Research Methods in the Study of Politics
Fall Session 2013
Dates: Thursdays September 5th – December 4th, 2013
Times: 6:00pm – 9:00 pm
Class location: EITC E2 365
Instructor: Scott Sinclair
Office hours: Thursday 5:00 – 6:00 or by appointment
Office Location: 522 Fletcher Argue
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides an introduction to the key methods used in the study of politics. The purpose
of this course is to introduce students to the elements of the social science research process and to
the concepts, issues, and methods involved in conducting research in a public sector and political
environment. At the broad level, the course will address philosophical questions concerning
research methods, discuss political and ethical issues, explore empirical research methods, and
apply practical matters of method and technique to a variety of political or policy topics.
To give students a foundation in research skills that can be applied in an academic setting or a
work environment, the course will explore various research methods and approaches including
data collection, statistical analysis and interpretation and presentation of findings. While the
emphasis of this course will be on qualitative research methods, students will be introduced to
basic quantitative methodological tools and issues and be expected to apply this knowledge in a
basic way. At the end of the course, students will become discerning consumers of social
science research, have an understanding of the central concepts related to research, and
have a foundation to build on for more sophisticated empirical research methods.
REQUIRED TEXT:
 Winston Jackson and Norinne Verberg. 2006. Methods: Doing Social Research,
4th edition, Pearson Education Canada.
 Other required readings will be made available to students.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Late penalties for work are 5% per business day. All assignments are due at the beginning
of class. Late submissions must be brought to the Department of Political Studies (532
Fletcher Argue).
Students are required by the Department to retain a copy of each assignment submitted to
their instructors. In addition, students should acquaint themselves with the University’s
policy on plagiarism, academic fraud, cheating, and examination impersonation (see the
University of Manitoba Undergraduate Calendar 2011-2012). The voluntary withdrawal
date is TBD 2013.
POLS 3950 - 2
Students with special learning requirements should identify themselves to the instructor
at the beginning of the term in order to arrange suitable accommodation with Disability
Services.
Disruptions due to excessive talking, electronic devices or early departures from the class
are especially distracting. Please be considerate and respectful of the needs and rights of
others in the class. Students should be aware that persistent disruption may result in
disbarment from the course. Any student who has a legitimate reason for leaving class
early should inform the instructor at the beginning of class.
GRADING:
 Assignment #1 (10%).
 Assignment #2 (30%).
 Assignment #3 (20%)
 Final exam (30%). Students will write a three-hour exam.
 Attendance and participation (10%) Students are expected to participate in class
discussion.
ASSIGNMENTS:
There will be three assignments in total. Two assignments (#2 and #3) are designed to
expose you to the steps of putting together and executing a research proposal. You must
consult with me on your proposed topic before beginning your work.
The first assignment requires you to apply secondary research techniques to identify a
recent public survey or opinion poll that was designed to gather data on a topical political
or public policy issue and present it to the class. The assignment must cover the question
of query, the survey design, the method of implementation, the limitations or cautions
associated with the design and a summary of the findings. Each student will make a
presentation of their work lasting no more than ten (10) minutes with an additional ten
(10) minutes allotted for class discussion. Assignments will be presented in class on
October 3rd, 2013.
The second assignment (12 pages minimum) requires you to develop a research proposal,
a description of the political or policy context of the research question, an outline of the
relevant literature on the topic or issue related to the question and an articulation of how
your research question will be operationalized. This assignment is due on October 24th,
2013.
The final assignment is the development of your data collection instrument. This
assignment is due on November 14th, 2013. The second assignment will be returned to
you with comments so that you may incorporate them into the final assignment.
POLS 3950 - 3
The second assignment must be handed in with your final assignment. Failure to do so
will result in a penalty on the final assignment of one full letter grade.
COURSE OUTLINE:
September 5
Introduction to course
Johnson and Reynolds. “Political Science Research Methods”. CQ
Press, Washington D.C.
Baxter-Moore et al. “Studying Politics: The Evolution of Political
Analysis”. Copp Clark Professional.
September 12
The Role of Research in Social Sciences
Chapters 1 and 2 in Jackson and Verberg
September 19
Conducting Research with Secondary Data and Methods
Chapter 5 in Jackson and Verberg
September 26
Sampling and Sample Size
Chapter 15 in Jackson and Verberg
Archer and Berdahl. 2011. “Explorations: Conducting Empirical
Research in Canadian Political Science”. Oxford University Press.
Chapter 8
Gosling and Vazire. “Should We Trust Web-Based Studies? A
comparative Analysis of Six Perceptions About Internet
questionnaires”. American Psychologist, February/March 2004.
October 3
In-class presentations for Assignment #1
POLS 3950 - 4
October 10
Research Ethics
Chapter 11 in Jackson and Verberg
Karine Levasseur. 2009. “Universities and the Regulation of Research
Ethics". In Research and Innovation Policy: Changing Federal
Government - University Relations, eds. Bruce Doern and Chris
Stoney. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
October 17
Bias
Chapter 10 in Jackson and Verberg
Podsakoff, Podsakoff, MacKenzie and Lee. “Common Method Biases
in Behavioural Research: A Critical Review of the Literature and
Recommended Remedies”. Journal of Applied Psychology. 2003,
Vol. 88, No. 5, 879-903.
October 24
Data Collection Tools – Surveys, interviews and focus groups
Chapters 4 in Jackson and Verberg
Matthew Mendelsohn and Jason Brent. “Understanding Polling
Methodology”. ISUMA
ASSIGNMENT #2 is due October 24th
October 31
Survey Research Design – Questions, Organization, Measurement,
Scales and Indexes
Chapters 12, 13 and 14 in Jackson and Verberg
November 7
Survey Research Design – Questions, Organization, Measurement,
Scales and Indexes
Chapters 12, 13 and 14 in Jackson and Verberg
POLS 3950 - 5
November 14
Qualitative (non-reactive) and Quantitative (Experiments, QuasiExperiments and Natural Experiments) Research
Chapter 3, 5 and 6 in Jackson and Verberg
Neuman & Robson. 2012. “Basics of Social Research: Qualitative
and Quantitative Approaches”. Pearson Education Inc. Chapter 13
ASSIGNMENT #3 is due November 14th
November 21
Introduction to Statistical Methods – Part I
Chapter 8 and 16a in Jackson and Verbeeg
November 28
Introduction to Statistical Methods – Part II (Lab)
Chapter 9 and 17 in Jackson and Verbeeg
December 5
Final Exam Preparation
*NOTE: Course outline is subject to change. Any changes to course outline will be
announced in class.
GRADING SCALE
A+ (90-100) Exceptional
A (80-89) Excellent
B+ (75-79) Very Good
B (70-74) Good
C+ (65-69) Satisfactory
C (60-64) Adequate
D (50-59) Marginal
F (0-49) Failure