Political Science 8800 Dr. Allison Calhoun-Brown

Fall 2002 Office: 1026 GCB

Elements of Research Design Telephone: 651-4836

Email: polacb@langate.gsu.edu Hours: M 2-3:30 and T 5:30-7 and

by appointment

Course Description

Elements of Research Design is the first course in a two semester sequence designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the research process in political science. This course covers the research methodology of political science. In general the term "methodology" refers to the description, explanation and justification of methods for conducting research. We can distinguish several classes or levels of methods comprising the subject matter of the present course. At the most general level there are fundamental assumptions about the nature of human behavior and the methods adopted to investigate and explain that behavior. This level is frequently referred to as epistemology or philosophy of science. Secondly there is the level of method that unites these general principles with specific techniques. These methods include formulating concepts and hypotheses, and developing valid measurement procedures. Finally there are the specific methodological procedures or techniques utilized in analyzing data and carrying out a given research project. Here we have in mind such technical operations as drawing a probability sample of appropriate proportions, constructing a survey questionnaire or computing a correlation coefficient.

This course will focus on the second and third levels. Particular attention will be given to the steps in developing a viable and rigorous research design--finding a researchable question, locating applicable theory and literature, formulating testable hypotheses, identifying the dependent and independent variables, operationalizing these variables, gathering data and employing valid methods for evaluating the research question. The educational objective of the course is to provide the student with a minimal level of competence as a research producer and a critical eye as a research consumer. The practical objective of the course is to prepare the student to write a journal length article utilizing quantitative research methods.

Course Objectives:

1. Identify the central characteristics of scientific inquiry and discuss the process by which science advances.

2. Provide a definition of theory and discuss the relationship between theory and research.

3. Discuss the linkages between theories, concepts, hypotheses and variables and explain the role of each in the research design.

4. Display an understanding of the reliability and/or validity of social measurement.

5. Describe the various types of sampling procedures and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.

6. Learn how to construct effective survey questionnaires.

7. Introduce univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistics and explain their utility in

quantitative research.

8. Write a political science research paper using quantitative methods.

Course Requirements

Students are expected to prepare for class by reading the core materials listed under the topic assigned for each meeting. In as much as our class time will be devoted to a combination of lectures and discussions it is also expected that class members will actively participate in discussions based on their reading and personal reflection of the assigned material. Overall participation equals 10% of the final grade. Students are expected to be in class. More than one unexcused absence will be reflected negatively in your final grade for the course.

In addition to the class meetings, students are expected to complete weekly exercises outside of class that correspond to the material being covered in the classroom sessions. These exercises will be assignments that pertain to the topics we are discussing. These exercises will constitute 15% of your final grade. Late assignments will not be accepted.

Other requirements for the course include a final given in class on Tuesday, December 10, 2002 from 7:15-9:15 pm and a 20 page research paper due the last day of class (December 3, 2002 ). This paper will be written utilizing an established social science data set. Your research paper should describe the question you are researching, give the purpose of your study, its significance, survey the literature on the topic--including applicable theory, identify key concepts, present variables, state hypotheses, explain the methods you are using, give the source or your data, analyze the data and interpret your results. The assignment must be typed and properly documented according to APSA style. Additional information will be given pertaining to the paper at a later date. Late assignments will not be accepted. No makeup final examination will be given. For policy on incompletes and hardship withdrawls--see the University Bulletin.

The exam and the other assignments will contribute to the final course grade in the following proportions:

Final 30%

Research Paper 25%

Midterm 20%

Homework Exercises 15%

Participation and Presentation 10%

This can be a very demanding course, but it provides a foundation for graduate study in political science and is thus well worth the effort.

Any plagiarism, cheating or academic dishonesty will receive a zero. The last day of class for you to withdraw and still receive a "W" is Friday, October 11, 2002.

This syllabus is a general guideline and may need to be altered or changed during the course. You are responsible for any changes made in class. If you have any questions about course requirements, assignments, or class materials, please see me.

Reading Material

The following books may be purchased from the Park Place Bookstore.

Frankfort-Nachmias, Chava and David Nachmias. 2000. Research Methods in the Social Sciences, 6th edition. New York: St. Martin's Press.

Salkind, Neil. 2000. Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Additional articles will be made available by the professor or can be obtained from the library or JSTOR.

Schedule of Readings

August 20

Course Introduction

August 27

Basic Elements of Research Design

Nachmias chapters 1,2

Salkind chapter 1

Easton, David. 1969. "The New Revolution in Political Science". American Political Science Review 63: 1051-1061.

Wilcox, Clyde. 1992. "Explaining Support for the Christian Right". In God's Warriors. Baltimore: John Hopkins Press.

September 3

Basic Elements of Research Designs

Nachmias chapter 3

Salkind chapter 7

Sartori, Giovanni. 1970. "Concept Misformation in Comparative Politics". APSR 64:1033-1058.

Dye, Thomas. 1980. "Taxing, Spending and Economic Growth in the American States." Journal of Politics

42: 1085-1107.

Ragsdale, Lyn and Jerrold Rusk, 1993. "Who are Non Voters? Profiles form the 1990 Senate Election."

American Journal of Political Science 37: 721-746.

September 10

Gathering Data

Nachmias chapters 5 and 6

Shingles, Richard, 1999. "Class, Status and Support for Government Aid to Disadvantaged Groups."

Journal of Politics 51: 933-962

Iyengar, Shanto, Mark Peters and Donald Kinder, 1982. "Experimental Demonstrations of the Not-So-

Minimal Consequences of Television News Programs". American Political Science Review76:

848-58.

September 17

Gathering Quantitative Data: Operationalization and Measurement

Nachmias chapter 7

Sears, David et al. 1997. "Is is Really Racism?" Public Opinion Quarterly 61: 16-53.

Brockett, Charles. 1992. "Measuring Political Violence and Land Inequality in Central America."

American Political Science Review 86: 169-176.

September 24

Gathering Quantitative Data

Nachmias chapter 8, 10, 11

Salkind chapter 8, pps 147-155

Feldman, Stanley and John Zaller. 1992. "The Political Culture of Ambivalence: Ideological Responses

to the Welfare State." American Journal of Political Science 36: 268-307.

October 1

Data Preparation and Management

Nachmias chapter 14

Salkind chapter 17, 18 and Appendix A

October 8

Data Analysis: Univariate Statistics

Nachmias chapter 15

Salkind chapter 2, 3, 4

Greenstein, Fred. 1975. "The Benevolent Leader Revisited: Children's Images of Political Leaders in

Three Democracies." American Political Science Review 69:1371-1398.

October 15

Midterm Examination

October 22

Data Analysis: Bivariate Statistics

Nachmias chapter 16

Salkind chapter 5

TBA

October 29

Data Analysis: Bivariate Statistics

Nachmias chapter 16

Salkind chapters 5 and 6

Tufte, Edward. 1973. "The Relationship Between Seats and Votes in 2 Party Systems." American Political

Science Review 67: 540-554.

November 5

Data Analysis: Inferential Statistics

Nachmias chapter 19

Salkind chapter 9, 10

Calhoun-Brown, Allison. 1998. "The Politics of Black Evangelicals: What Hinders Diversity in the

Christian Right?" American Politics Quarterly 26: 81-109. (Available in Academic Search Premier Database--Full text).

November 12

Data Analysis: Inferential Statistics

Nachmias chapter 19

Salkind chapters 11, 12

TBA

November 19

Data Analysis: Inferential Statistics

Nachmias chapter 19

Salkind chapter 13, 14, 15

Mutz, Diana. 1992. "Mass Media and the Depoliticization of Personal Experience." American Journal of

Political Science 36: 483-508.

November 26

PAPER PRESENTATIONS

December 3

PAPER PRESENTATIONS

PAPER DUE

December 10

Final Exam Tuesday, December 10, 2002 7:15-9:15 pm