Research Methods In Politics: Practical Guide, A

Packed with features to promote learning, this text is ideal for use on an introductory methods course or for readers carrying out their own research project. It presents: an overview of the philosophy and principles of research; qualitative and quantitative research methods and research design; a critical review of selected methods; methods of gathering information, such as interviews and focus groups, and discusses issues associated with ensuring quality of information; and, appropriate methods for analysing and interpreting data, and covers the process of communicating research. The inclusion of chapter objectives, regular summaries, questions for discussion and tasks and assignments, makes this the must-have text for researching politics. Table of Contents: PART ONE: INTRODUCTION Introduction Power in Research, Ethics, Data Protection and Bias The Philosophy and Principles of Research PART TWO: METHODOLOGIES Qualitative versus Quantitative Methods A Relevant Argument? Collecting Data Sets Case Studies, Experimental, Comparative, Longitudinal and Action Research Models PART THREE: COLLECTING INFORMATION Critically Evaluating Published Research Evaluating Information Validity, Reliability, Accuracy, Triangulation Completing a Literature Review Accessing Published Information Asking Questions Effective Elite Interviews, Vignettes, Projective Questions and Focus Groups Questionnaire Surveys Observation PART FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS Analyzing Research Data The Process PART FOUR A: QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS Calculating and Interpretating Descriptive Statistics Using and Understanding Inferential Statistics Testing for Association Applying Factor Analysis and Other Advanced Techniques PART FOUR B: QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS Analyzing Qualitative Information Classifying, Coding and Interpreting Information Using Content Analysis Understanding and Adopting Discourse and Narrative Analysis PART FIVE: COMMUNICATING RESEARCH Writing Up