Writing a Research Paper in Political Science: A Practical Guide To Inquiry, Structure, and Methods

by Baglione, Lisa A.

• ISBN13: 9780495092629
• ISBN10: 0495092622
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-05-04
• Publisher: WADSWORTH PUB
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

Learn to write a great research paper with WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER IN POLITICAL SCIENCE! This concise political science text is more than just a typical research methods text – it helps you master writing, methodological, and research skills with ease. Topics covered include how to develop a research question, write a literature review, design a study, analyze information, write introductory and concluding sections, and edit and revise a paper. With a glossary, writing checklists, and examples of different parts of papers written by actual undergraduates, this political science text provides you with the tools you need to write a good research paper.

Table of Contents

PREFACE	viii
ABOUT THE AUTHOR	xii
1 So, You Have to Write a Research Paper	1	(13)
What is a Research Paper? A Few Helpful Metaphors	4	(2)
What Research Paper Writing Entails	6	(3)
Blueprint of the Book	9	(5)
2 Getting Started: Finding a Research Question	14	(17)
Characteristics of "Good" Questions	14	(10)
Find Something Interesting	15	(1)
Determining Why Your Topic is Important	16	(3)
Identifying a Puzzle and Using It to Frame a Question	19	(3)
Stating Your Question Concisely and Directly	22	(2)
Still Stuck? What to Do If Despite These Ideas, You Nonetheless Lack a Question	24	(3)
Practical Summary	27	(1)
Suggested Calendar	28	(1)
Exercises	28	(1)
Checklist for the Research Question	29	(2)
3 Addressing the Scholarly Debate: The Literature Review	31	(28)
Answering the General Question	32	(2)
Generic Schools of Thought	34	(6)
Use the Resources You Have	40	(3)
Perform a Search	43	(2)
Writing the Literature Review	45	(7)
Properly Documenting Your Literature Review (and All of Your Work in Your Research Paper)	52	(3)
Practical Summary	55	(2)
Suggested Calendar	57	(1)
Exercises	58	(1)
4 Effectively Distilling the Argument: The Thesis or the Model and Hypothesis	59	(17)
The Thesis	60	(3)
The Model	63	(3)
The Hypothesis	66	(3)
Applying These Insights	69	(1)
Practical Summary	70	(2)
Suggested Calendar	72	(1)
Exercises	72	(1)
Checklist for Literature Review (LR) & Model and Hypothesis (M&H)	73	(3)
5 Enticing the Reader and Drawing a Road Map: Writing an Introduction and Developing a Title	76	(13)
Elements of a Good Introduction	77	(3)
Can You Really Write an Introduction Now? One Example	80	(2)
Another Element in Attracting Readers: Developing an Appealing Title	82	(2)
Practical Summary	84	(1)
Suggested Calendar	85	(1)
Exercises	86	(3)
6 Making Your Plan and Protecting Yourself from Criticism: The Research Design	89	(29)
Concept Delineation and Measurement	90	(9)
Designing and Selecting Cases	99	(6)
Identifying Data Sources	105	(3)
Strategies for Uncovering and, At Times, Creating Data	108	(1)
Finishing Touches on the Research Design	109	(2)
Practical Summary	111	(2)
Suggested Calendar	113	(1)
Exercises	113	(1)
Checklist for the Introduction, Title, & Research Design	114	(4)
7 Evaluating the Argument: The Analysis and Assessment Section	118	(31)
Qualitative Analysis	120	(5)
Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis	125	(6)
Quantitative Analysis	131	(11)
Finishing the Analysis and Assessment Section	142	(1)
Practical Summary	143	(1)
Suggested Schedule	144	(1)
Exercises	145	(1)
Checklist for Analysis and Assessment	145	(4)
8 Considering the Significance and Limitations of Your Findings: The Conclusion	149	(8)
Practical Summary	155	(1)
Suggested Schedule	156	(1)
9 Revising and Editing Your Work: Submitting with Pride a Polished Paper	157	(12)
Practical Summary	164	(1)
Suggested Schedule	165	(1)
Checklist for Final Draft	166	(3)
GLOSSARY	169	(8)
BIBLIOGRAPHY	177	(4)
INDEX	181