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
Winter 2013
Dates: Tuesday and Thursday January 7 – April 10, 2013
Times: 1:00pm – 2:15pm
Class location: 107 Isbister
Instructor: Scott Sinclair
Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12:30 to 1:00 or 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 2012-2013). The voluntary withdrawal
date is March 20th, 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 (5%)
Assignment #2 (25%)
Assignment #3 (10%)
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 five
(5) minutes allotted for class discussion. Assignments will be presented in class on
January 22 and 24, 2013.
The second assignment 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. The second assignment is due on February 28th, 2013.
The third assignment is based on your research proposal. Each student will make a
presentation of their proposal outlining 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,
focus group guide, etc.). Each student will be given ten (10) minutes for their
POLS 3950 - 3
presentation with an additional five (5) minutes allotted for class discussion. Assignments
will be presented in class on March 12th and March 14th.
The final assignment is the development of your data collection instrument. This
assignment is due on March 21st, 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 fourth assignment. Failure to do so
will result in a penalty on the second assignment of one full letter grade.
COURSE OUTLINE:
January 8 - 10
Introduction to course and the Role of Research in Social Sciences
Johnson and Reynolds. “Political Science Research Methods”. CQ
Press, Washington D.C.
Chapters 1 and 2 in Jackson and Verberg
January 15 - 17 Conducting Research with Secondary Data and Methods
Chapter 5 in Jackson and Verberg
January 22 - 24 In-class presentations for Assignment #1
January 29 – 31 Bias
Chapter 11 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.
POLS 3950 - 4
February 5
Research Ethics
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.
February 7 - 14 Data Collection Methods – Surveys, Interviews and Focus Groups
Chapters 4 in Jackson and Verberg
Halperin & Heath. 2012. “Political Research: Methods and Practical
Skills”. Oxford University Press. Chapter 11
Matthew Mendelsohn and Jason Brent. “Understanding Polling
Methodology”. ISUMA
February 18 – 22 Reading Week, no classes
February 26 - 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.
Assignment#2 due February 28th, 2013
POLS 3950 - 5
March 5 - 7
Survey Research Design – Questions, Organization, Measurement,
Scales and Indexes
Chapters 12, 13 and 14 in Jackson and Verberg
March 12 - 14
In-class presentations for Assignment #3
March 19 - 21
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#4 due March 21st, 2013
March 26 - 28
Introduction to Statistical Methods – Part I
Chapter 8 and 9 in Jackson and Verbeeg
April 2 - 4
Introduction to Statistical Methods – Part II (Lab)
Chapter 16a and 17 in Jackson and Verbeeg
April 9
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