Writing a Research Paper in Political Science: A Practical Guide To Inquiry, Structure, and Methods,9780495092629

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

by
Edition: 1st
ISBN13: 9780495092629
ISBN10: 0495092622
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: 2006-05-04
Publisher(s): WADSWORTH PUB
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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

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