POLS 270-01, Research Methods, Fall 2008

Abstract

Broadly, the purpose of this course is to help you gain familiarity with the different assumptions, methods, and analytical approaches used by political scientists and cognate disciplines (e.g. economics, history, psychology, law, and others). It will therefore be helpful in future Political Science, Department of coursework as well as in careers where familiarity with research techniques and critical analysis is useful��including law, public policy analysis, political consulting, and political advocacy. Specifically, you should: 2 1. Gain factual knowledge about social science methodology (terminology, techniques, etc.) 2. Be able to apply what we read about methodology to real-world events 3. Be able to analyzing and critically evaluating research methodologies and methodological choices In other words, this class is fundamental to distinguishing truthiness from truth and to being able to cope.