Syllabus for SUMMER 2006
This course introduces students to quantitative and qualitative approaches to research
in the field of political science. The computer lab will enable students to develop basic
skills in statistical analysis; lab exercises also reinforce and hone
research skills. With the guidance of the instructor, students will conduct research
assignments that integrate the skills developed in the course and lab assignments.
EVALUATION:
Lab Assignments -- 15%
Research Assignment #1 -- 15%
Test #1 -- 15%
Test #2 -- 15%
Research Assignment #2 -- 10%
Final Exam -- 30%
PROCEDURES:
As a point of fairness to your classmates, the honor code must be observed at all times
& written work must be handed in promptly. Tests must be handed in at the end of the
class period. Lab work and written work handed in late will be penalized 5 points plus an
additional 5 points for every additional 24-hour period. All work is to be original work
done specifically for this course. Make-up exams will be given only under exceptional
circumstances: do not assume that you will be permitted to take a make-up test. Readings
should be completed by class time of the date listed; lab exercises are due at the
beginning of the next class session. The professor reserves the right to alter this course
outline as circumstances demand. For further discussion of course
policies, see the appropriate portion of the course website.
TEXTS:
Monroe, Alan D. Essentials of Political Research. Boulder,
CO: Westivew Press, 2000.
Additional readings will be made available in online form.
COURSE OUTLINE:
 REMEMBER: Many
of the topics in this syllabus are hyperlinked. Right-click on the active links to
download outlines and tables associated with that material. A menu will pop up; left-click
on "save link as" to get a dialog box for downloading the file. Specify
the appropriate drive, folder, and file name and then left-click on save to download the
file. These are rich text format outline (RTF) files that are most compatible with
WordŽ. From Word you can modify formatting and/or print the outlines.
If your computer has Word installed, you also
have the option of left-clicking on the link to load the file immediately into Word for
editing and/or printing.
Part I: Basic Issues in Systematic Research
May 15: Introduction to the Scientific Method
 | Introduction to the Scientific Method
== Monroe, pp.1-15 |
| Research Assignments in POSC
295
== HANDOUT |
| LAB (5/15/06): MicroCase exercise #1 in handout (introduction to MicroCase) |
May 16: From Hunches to Hypotheses
May 17: Measurement
{Research Question & Preliminary Bibliography DUE at
9am on 5/17}
May 18: Research Design
May 22: Causal Model & Hypothesis Workshop
| Causal Diagrams |
| Review Session |
| LAB (5/22/06): NO new lab exercise assigned: lab time for review & work
on literature review |
Part II: Data Collection
May 23: Secondary Sources
TEST #1 from 9 to 10am on 5/23/06
May 24: Sampling & Evaluating Gathered Data
Research Assignment #1 DUE at 9am on 5/24/06
May 25: Survey Research
May 29: MEMORIAL DAY: no class today
May 30: Survey Research (cont.)
| Aggregate Data
== Monroe, pp.47-57 |
| Interpreting Surveys: an example
== HANDOUT |
| Review Session |
| LAB (5/30/06): NO new lab exercise assigned: lab time to work on
Research Assignment #2 |
Part III: Quantitative Research Approaches
May 31: Descriptive Statistics
TEST #2 from 9 to 10am on 5/31/06
June 1: Tabular Data Analysis
June 5: Inferential Statistics with Nominal and Ordinal Variables
Research Assignment #2 DUE at 9am on 6/5/06
June 6: Inferential Statistics with Interval & Ratio Variables
June 7: Working with Multiple Regression
June 8: Course Wrap-Up **today's class session begins at 10am**
Crosstabular Data Analysis Project DUE at
10am on 6/8/06
| Review Session |
| LAB (6/8/06): NO new lab exercise assigned: lab time for review |
June 9: Final Exam
**FINAL EXAM from 9am to 11am on 6/9/06**
|
