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Political Science Research in Practice

Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Political Science Research in Practice by Akan Malici and Elizabeth S. Smith offers an innovative approach to teaching political science research methods. Instead of traditional, theory-heavy instruction, it engages students with real political questions and walks them through actual research projects. Each chapter introduces a distinct empirical methodβ€”ranging from comparative case studies and field research to surveys, experiments, and content analysisβ€”framed around captivating political topics such as the Arab Spring, political torture, and voter turnout.

The book demonstrates how researchers develop questions and select methods, revealing both challenges and insights, thus emphasising the importance of a scientific approach to politics. The second edition adds new chapters on field experiments and textual/interpretive methods, updates exercises and resources, and refreshes content to stay relevant.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying political science research methods. It also suits educators looking for engaging teaching materials and anyone interested in the practical application of political science research techniques.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Malici and Smith engage students first with pressing political questions and then demonstrate how a researcher has gone about answering them, walking them through real political science research. Each chapter shows the process of developing a research question.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Nothing rings truer to those teaching political science research methods: students hate taking this course. Tackle the challenge and turn the standard research methods teaching model on its head with Political Science Research in Practice. Akan Malici and Elizabeth S. Smith engage students first with pressing political questions and then demonstrate how a researcher has gone about answering them, walking them through real political science research that contributors have conducted.

Through the exemplary use of a comparative case study, field research, interviews, textual and interpretive research, statistical research, survey research, public policy and program evaluation, content analysis, and field experiments, each chapter introduces students to a method of empirical inquiry through a specific topic that will spark their interest and curiosity. Each chapter shows the process of developing a research question, how and why a particular method was used, and the rewards and challenges discovered along the way. Students can better appreciate why we need a science of politics β€” why methods matter β€” with these first-hand, issue-based discussions.

The second edition now includes:

  • Two completely new chapters on field experiments and a chapter on the textual/interpretative method.
  • New topics, ranging from the Arab Spring to political torture to politically sensitive research in China to social networking and voter turnout.
  • Revised and updated "Exercises and Discussion Questions" sections.
  • Revised and updated "Interested to Know More" and "Recommended Resources" sections.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781138301320

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 30 July 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Routledge

Edition: 2nd edition

Illustration: 17 Tables, black and white; 3 Line drawings, black and white; 3 Illustrations, black and white

Contributors:

  • Edited by Akan Malici
  • Edited by Elizabeth S. Smith

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Width: 187.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 600g

Pages: 226

About the Author

Akan Malici is Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Furman University. He authored When Leaders Learn and When They Don't (SUNY, 2008) and The Search for a Common European Foreign and Security Policy (Palgrave, 2008). He co-authored U.S. Presidents and Foreign Policy Mistakes (Stanford, 2011) and Role Theory and Role Conflict in U.S.-Iran Relations (Routledge, 2016) and co-edited of Re-thinking Foreign Policy Analysis (Routledge, 2011). He teaches classes in International Politics and Research Methodology.

Elizabeth S. Smith is Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Furman University. She received her Ph.D. in American politics with a minor in political psychology from the University of Minnesota. She has taught research methodology for many years. Her work appears in The Journal of Political Science Education, Polity, Political Psychology, The Handbook for Teaching Social Issues, the American Education Research Journal and in Competition in Theory and Practice (Sense Publishers 2009).

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