Political Research: An Introduction

by Startin; Nicholas

• ISBN13: 9780415226561
• ISBN10: 0415226562
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2001-07-16
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

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.Features and benefits 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, important links, and essential resources for both teachers and students.

Table of Contents

List of Briefing Boxes	xiii
Preface	xv
Introduction	1	(10)
Political research methods: what does this mean?	2	(1)
The art of systematic analysis: the development of political science	3	(2)
The language of political research methods	5	(1)
The development of political research methodology: the relationship between political research and theory	6	(3)
Conclusion: the necessity of a scientific approach towards political research	9	(1)
Further reading	10	(1)
PART I QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH	11	(60)
Introducing Quantitative Analysis	13	(26)
Why do we need to quantify politics? What does the quantification of politics involve?	14	(3)
Measurement	14	(1)
Comparison	15	(1)
Control of uncertainty	15	(2)
The language of quantitative analysis	17	(2)
Types of data	17	(2)
Analytical terms	19	(1)
Populations and samples	19	(6)
Probabilistic sampling	20	(1)
Non-probabilistic sampling	21	(2)
Inferences	23	(1)
Causality	23	(1)
Significance	24	(1)
Correlations	24	(1)
Validity and reliability	25	(4)
Problems with measuring political variables: a summary	29	(1)
Using statistical analysis in political science	30	(1)
Types of analysis	31	(2)
Univariate analysis	31	(1)
Bivariate analysis	32	(1)
Multivariate analysis	32	(1)
Time-series models	32	(1)
Case studies of quantitative political analysis	33	(3)
Case study 1: SPSS	33	(1)
Case study 2: the British Election Studies	34	(2)
Conclusion	36	(1)
Further reading	37	(2)
Using surveys in political research	39	(18)
Introduction	40	(1)
What is a survey?	40	(3)
The advantages of employing survey research	43	(1)
The disadvantages of employing survey research	44	(2)
Methodological issues	46	(3)
Making use of opinion polls in political research	49	(3)
The development of opinion polling in Britain	50	(1)
Changing trends in British Public opinion	51	(1)
Case study: the mixed fortunes of opinion polling in political analysis	52	(2)
Opinion polling at election time: the debacle of 1992 and the lessons learnt	52	(2)
Conclusion	54	(1)
Further reading	55	(2)
Analysing official data for political research	57	(14)
Introduction: what are `official statistics'?	58	(2)
Are official statistics neutral measures?	60	(2)
The development and collection of official data	62	(1)
Changes in official data collection	63	(5)
Classless society?	63	(1)
To work or not to work, that is the definition . . .	64	(2)
Waiting around . . .	66	(1)
Unequal, not poor	67	(1)
Advantages and disadvantages in using official statistics as a research tool	68	(1)
Public confidence in official statistics	68	(1)
Conclusion	69	(1)
Further reading	70	(1)
PART II QUALITATIVE RESEARCH	71	(68)
Introducing qualitative analysis	73	(16)
Introduction	74	(1)
What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative research? Do they produce different results?	74	(3)
The ethnographic approach in qualitative research	77	(1)
The advantages and disadvantages of employing qualitative data in political research	78	(2)
Using observational methods in political research	80	(3)
Case studies of qualitative research in political science	83	(3)
Observing political activity	83	(1)
Exploring the political mind	84	(1)
Who has power?	84	(1)
Explanations of voting behaviour	85	(1)
Political selection	86	(1)
Conclusion	86	(1)
Further reading	87	(2)
Conducting interviews in political research	89	(16)
Introduction	90	(1)
What is an interview?	90	(4)
Elite interviewing	94	(1)
Some practical concerns	95	(3)
Case study: using interviews in political research	98	(6)
What information can be gleaned from interviews?	98	(1)
Access and sampling as problems	99	(1)
Setting up the interviews	100	(1)
Conducting the interviews	101	(1)
Recording and transcribing the interviews	102	(1)
Analysing and using the data	103	(1)
Ethics and anonymity	103	(1)
Overview	104	(1)
Conclusion	104	(1)
Further reading	104	(1)
Using existing resources in political research	105	(18)
Introduction	106	(1)
Sources of existing political data	106	(1)
The mass media	107	(3)
Party resources	110	(1)
Biography, autobiography and political memoirs	111	(1)
The Internet	112	(1)
How do we analyse existing political resources?	113	(6)
Substantive content analysis	114	(2)
Structural content analysis	116	(1)
Setting up a content analysis study	116	(1)
Disadvantages of content analysis	117	(2)
Case study: the media's portrayal of leadership qualities	119	(1)
Conclusion	120	(1)
Further reading	121	(2)
Employing historical and archival resources in political research	123	(16)
Introduction	124	(1)
What do historical and archival resources have to offer political science?	125	(4)
The requirements and process of documentary analysis	129	(4)
Case study: Mary Bridges Adams, a life for Labour and education	133	(4)
The background to the research	133	(1)
The research `problem'	133	(1)
Initiating the process of researching the past: the importance of archives	133	(1)
Widening the search: uncovering public and private resources and some practical considerations	134	(2)
Building up the political profile	136	(1)
Closing the loop: the search for greater knowledge	137	(1)
Conclusion	137	(1)
Further reading	138	(1)
PART III DOING YOUR OWN RESEARCH	139	(28)
A guide to writing a politics dissertation	141	(14)
Introduction	142	(1)
What is a dissertation?	142	(1)
The rewards of independent research	143	(1)
Setting the research question	144	(2)
Where do I start with the research?	146	(1)
Issues to consider when the research is ongoing	147	(5)
The role of the supervisor	148	(1)
The quality of research data	148	(1)
Access	149	(1)
Integrating interview material into your dissertation	150	(1)
Ethics	151	(1)
Conclusion	152	(1)
Further reading	152	(3)
Resources for political scientists	155	(12)
Printed texts	157	(1)
Libraries and archives	158	(1)
Addresses and web sites	159	(8)
Academic sites	159	(1)
Political parties	160	(2)
The mass media	162	(1)
Opinion polls	162	(1)
Think tanks	163	(1)
National organisations	163	(1)
International organisations	164	(3)
Glossary	167	(4)
Bibliography	171	(8)
Index	179