Social Research Using MicroCase. Through reading assignments, the text, and lectures, you will learn about research methods currently in use by political scientists. By the end of the course, you should be able to construct a research design, identify correct methods of analysis for the research design, and use these methods to implement your own research design. Because Political Science 195A involves hands-on computer instruction as well as instruction in research methods, you will learn to draw from a wide spectrum of sources for information and apply that information to current political and social research. To effectively participate in class, it is important that you do the readings in Contemporary Social Research Methods prior to coming to lecture, and the readings in your Social Research Using MicroCase text prior to coming to lab.
Attendance is, of course, a necessary precursor to participation.
Your class participation grade will be based upon your prepared involvement in class discussions and participation during in-class exercises. Weekly Assignments You are expected to be prepared to complete your weekly assignments during Friday labs. This will require that you complete the preliminary reading to each exercise as found in your Social Research Using MicroCase text prior to the lab. Project You will be given a choice of five different types of projects - survey, comparative study, field study, experiment, or content analysis. The data necessary to complete the project will be gathered during class time.