Political Research

Methods and Practical Skills

Third Edition

Sandra Halperin and Oliver Heath

Discusses step-by-step how to conduct research to support students through the entire research process
Broad coverage of both quantitative and qualitative methods makes it relevant to any research project
Discussion of key debates of theory, methodology, and the philosophy of social science to broaden students' knowledge of research methods
Includes a range of learning features such as chapter summaries and test questions to re-inforce students' understanding of research methods

New to this Edition:

Updated and additional real-world examples, to inspire students and help to put their research project into context
Includes the latest developments in the field, such as the importance of ethics, and changes in digital research

Political Research

Methods and Practical Skills

Third Edition

Sandra Halperin and Oliver Heath

Description

Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills, the market leading textbook in political research methods, is essential reading for students taking a module in research methods as part of a politics or international relations degree. Its accessible, step-by-step approach covers the entire research methods process, equipping students with the necessary skills to successfully conduct their own independent study and research.

With coverage of both quantitative and qualitative methods, the book begins by guiding readers on how to come up with a research question, and leads the reader right through to writing up a final report. The book also includes chapters on theory, methodology, and the philosophy of social science, which are fully revised for the third edition to include up-to-date 'real world' examples, such as Gerber and Green's survey on political attitudes or Wantchekon's study on clientelism in Benin. These sections help students to understand essential debates around research methods, as well as sharing practical guidance.

The easy to understand language and straightforward approach of Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills help students get to grips with particularly complex topics relating to epistemological, ontological and mythological research, and quantitative questions such as 'what is data?'.

The third edition reflects key areas of development in the field, such as the increased importance of ethics, and changes in digital research. The book is also enhanced with a range of engaging learning features including chapter summaries, end-of-chapter conclusions and questions, and a guide to further reading, created to reinforce students' understanding of research methods and further explore specific approaches to research.

Political Research

Methods and Practical Skills

Third Edition

Sandra Halperin and Oliver Heath

1. Political Research
PART I: PHILOSOPHY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE: KNOWLEDGE AND KNOWING IN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
2. Laws, Explanation, and Interpretation
3. Objectivity and Values
PART II: HOW TO DO RESEARCH: AN OVERVIEW
4. Asking Questions: research questions and how to find and formulate them
5. Finding Answers: theories and how to apply them
6. Research Design
7. What is Data?
PART III: HOW TO DO RESEARCH IN PRACTICE
8. Experimental Research
9. Comparative Research
10. Historical research
11. Surveys
12. Interviewing and Focus Groups
13. Ethnography and Participant Observation
14. Textual Analysis
15. Quantitative Analysis: Description and Inference
16. Patterns of Association: Bivariate Analysis
17. A Guide to Multivariate Analysis

Political Research

Methods and Practical Skills

Third Edition

Sandra Halperin and Oliver Heath

Author Information

Sandra Halperin, Professor of International Relations, Royal Holloway, University of London,Oliver Heath, Senior Lecturer in Politics, Royal Holloway, University of London

Sandra Halperin, Professor of International Relations, Royal Holloway, University of London, and Oliver Heath, Senior Lecturer in Politics, Royal Holloway, University of London