Political Research : An Introduction

Political Research: An Introduction has been designed to provide an excellent starting point for those new to the area of Research Methods.

It assumes no prior knowledge of the subject and sets out the key issues involved in doing research in Politics.

It guides students through a complex and often daunting subject by exploring the many concepts associated with the field, as well as offering practical advice on research practices and information resources.

Part I introduces Quantitative Methods, including: the key issues and concerns; problems of interpreting data sources; using surveys; and analysing official data.

Part II introduces Qualitative Methods, including: using interviews; evaluating existing research; archives; official reports and documents; and focus groups and observational research.

Part III offers a practical guide to conducting research at the undergraduate level including: a guide to writing dissertations in politics; and a guide to information resources such as databases, web-sites, libraries and archives. Key features of this textbook include: * boxed case studies in each chapter to illustrate and clarify key concepts, and highlight the practical use of different research methods * a useful glossary, giving easy access to definitions of key terms * a dedicated web-site containing sample material, extra case studies, and essential links for both teachers and students.