GOVT 309 Scope and Methods of Political Science

Acquaints students with social science inquiry-the process by which political scientists develop research questions and attempt to find answers. The course explores various approaches to political inquiry, ways to structure and critique arguments, methods to conceptualize a research question and develop causal models, means to create a testable hypothesis, and how to evaluate various methods of data collection. The final section focuses on data processing, analysis, and introductory statistics. Helps evaluate political science material and to enables them to undertake a social science research project.[W]

Prerequisite

One introductory-level course or permission of instructor