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
Summer Session 2012
Dates: Monday and Wednesday April 30 – June 13, 2012
Times: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Class location: E2-365 (EITC) Engineering complex
Instructor: Scott Sinclair
Office hours: By appointment
Office Location: 523 Fletcher Argue
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 474-8949
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 June 5, 2012.
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 (7.5%).
Assignment #2 (20%).
Assignment #3 (7.5%)
Assignment #4 (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 four assignments in total. Two assignments (#2 and #4) 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
May 16, 2012.
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 May 23, 2012.
The third assignment is based on your research proposal. Each student will make a
presentation of their proposal outing the question of query, an overview of the political or
policy context related to the question, the type of research to be undertaken (qualitative,
quantitative, mixed) and an overview of the data collection tool (survey). Each student
POLS 3950 - 3
will be given ten (10) minutes for their presentation with an additional ten (10) minutes
allotted for class discussion. Assignments will be presented in class on June 4, 2012.
The final assignment is the development of your data collection instrument. This
assignment is due on June 4, 2012. The second assignment will be returned to you with
comments so that you may incorporate them into the final assignment.
The second assignment must be handed in with your final assignment. Failure to do so
will result in a penalty on the second assignment of one full letter grade.
COURSE OUTLINE:
April 30
Introduction to course
Johnson and Reynolds. “Political Science Research Methods”. CQ
Press, Washington D.C.
May 2
The Role of Research in Social Sciences
Chapters 1 and 2 in Jackson and Verberg
May 7
Gathering Data Through Secondary Research Methods
Chapter 5 in Jackson and Verberg
May 9
Research Ethics and Bias
Chapter 10 and 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.
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.
May 14
Data Collection Tools – Surveys, focus groups, interviews
Chapters 4 in Jackson and Verberg
Halperin & Heath. 2012. “Political Research: Methods and Practical
Skills”. Oxford University Press. Chapter 11
POLS 3950 - 4
May 16
In-class presentations for Assignment #1
May 21
Victoria Day – NO CLASS
May 23
Survey Research Design – Survey Types, Questions, Organization,
Measurement, Scales and Indexes
Chapters 12, 13 and 14 in Jackson and Verberg
Matthew Mendelsohn and Jason Brent. “Understanding Polling
Methodology”. ISUMA
ASSIGNMENT #2 is due May 23rd
May 28
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.
May 30
Qualitative Research
Chapter 6 in Jackson and Verberg
Neuman & Robson. 2012. “Basics of Social Research: Qualitative
and Quantitative Approaches”. Pearson Education Inc. Chapter 13
June 2
Quantitative Research, Experiments, Quasi-Experiments and
Natural Experiments
Chapters 3 and 5 in Jackson and Verberg
June 4
In-class presentation for Assignment #3
ASSIGNMENT #4 is due June 4th
POLS 3950 - 5
June 6
Introduction to Statistical Methods – Part I
Chapter 8 and 9 in Jackson and Verbeeg
June 11
Introduction to Statistical Methods – Part II (Lab)
Chapter 16a and 17 in Jackson and Verbeeg
June 13
Final Exam Preparation
*NOTE: Course outline is subject to change. Any changes to course outlined 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