Introduction to Political Science Research Methods, 1st edition, is an Open Education Resource Textbook that surveys the research methods employed in political science. The textbook includes chapters that cover: history and development of the empirical study of politics; the scientific method; theories, hypotheses, variables, and units; conceptualization, operationalization and measurement of political concepts; elements of research design including the logic of sampling; qualitative and quantitative research methods and means of analysis; and research ethics.

Authors:
- Josh Franco, Cuyamaca College
- Charlotte Lee, Berkeley City College
- Kau Vue, Fresno City College
- Dino Bozonelos, Victor Valley College
- Masa Omae, San Diego City College
- Steven Cauchon, Imperial Valley College

PDF Version ISBN: 978-1-7351980-0-2

Survey of the Government of the United States with respect to historical background, constitutional framework and development, civil liberties and civil rights, the political process, including elections, political parties and interest groups, and the principle institutions and processes for the development and implementation of American Public policies. the study of California state and local government is a special component of this class.

Political thought, otherwise known as political theory or philosophy, is the study of questions concerning power, justice, rights, law, and other issues pertaining to governance. This course examines major texts in the history of political thought and asks how different views on human nature inform the design of government. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: summarize the passage of political thought through the classical, Renaissance, and Enlightenment periods and based on the works of Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Tocqueville, and Marx; compare and contrast the differences between Plato and Aristotle with regard to their understandings of the nature of the person, ethics, society, citizenship, and governance; explain the historical and intellectual context in which the political thought that helped to develop the modern state came to be; compare and contrast the concepts of justice, freedom, equality, citizenship, and sovereignty in the works of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau; explain the different versions of, and importance of, 'the state of nature' to political thought; identify the influences of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau on the development of the United States Constitution; summarize the thoughts of Alexis de Tocqueville on the American political landscape, particularly with regard to religion and equality, and why this has importance beyond the American context; explain Karl Marx's world view, with particular regard to his critique of democracy and the modern, politically liberal, state; how it came to be; and its fundamental link to capitalism. (Political Science 201)

This series of recorded lectures on research methods in political science was developed by Professor Emily Regan Wills for the course POL 2156 Foundations of Research in Political Science at the University of Ottawa (Canada). Recorded as part of making it a blended/flipped course, topics covered in the videos include paradigms of research in political science, research ethics, relational accountability, understanding causality, research with people, research with communities, and research with numbers.

This activity is a set of student-centered exercises that enable students to learn about the individual stories of Goldman environmental prize winners, the activism and organizing that grounds their work, and the underlying political and social contexts from which their struggles emerge. The lesson inspires critical reflection about justice, power, and democracy in green politics, and encourages ways to make personal connections to activism and environmental work.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

Discover our new exhibitions that bring the world’s largest collection of knowledge, culture, and creativity to life through dynamic displays of artifacts enhanced by interactivity. Examine rare and unique items, including the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, the Gutenberg Bible, the 1507 Waldseemüller map that first named America, Thomas Jefferson’s recreated library, and the architectural wonders of the Thomas Jefferson Building.

A variety of quantitative approaches to Congressional elections in which students learn the causes of electoral outcomes, the predictability of those outcomes, and intervening variables that produce unexpected outcomes.

The MIT Governance Lab (MIT GOV/LAB) is an applied research group and ideas incubator that aims to improve democracy and governance by changing practice around corruption, government accountability, and citizen voice. Our model combines behavioral political science, experimental social science, design thinking, and evaluation to iterate on governance solutions that support people’s ability to hold the government to account. 
We partner with in-country practitioners, including government, civil society, and social enterprises, at every stage of the research and learning process, from theory building to theory testing, to critical reflections and adaptations in real time, with the goal of contributing to a solid evidence base to strengthen the overall field of practice for participatory governance. 
To learn more about our work, check out our latest updates, tools, guides, and other resources, as well as published research, or be in touch mitgovlab@mit.edu.

Magna Carta (Latin for Great Charter) is an Angevin charter originally issued in Latin in June 1215. The
Magna Carta was the first document forced onto a King of England by a group of his subjects in an attempt to limit his powers by law and protect their rights.
The charter is widely known throughout the English speaking world as an important part of the protracted historical process that led to the rule of constitutional law in England and beyond. Read a translation into English here.

Weber on the Web is a project developed by sociology students at the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México. The aim of the project is to collect quality information available on the Internet about Max Weber and Marianne Weber, German sociologists with a great influence on the discipline. This work is part of the course Founders of Sociology: Max Weber, taught at the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences.

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Weber en Web es un proyecto desarrollado por estudiantes de sociología de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México. El objetivo del proyecto es recopilar información de calidad disponible en Internet acerca de Max Weber y Marianne Weber, sociólogos alemanes con una gran influencia en la disciplina. Este trabajo forma parte del curso Fundadores de la Sociología: Max Weber, impartido en la Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Sociales.

The goal of this video lesson is to teach students about new and exciting ways of holding an election that they may not be aware of. Students will learn three different methods of voting: plurality, instant runoff, and the Borda count. They will be led through a voting experiment in which they will see the weakness of plurality when there are three or more candidates. This lesson will show that not every voting system is perfect, and that each has its strengths and weaknesses. It will also promote thought, discussion, and understanding of the various methods of voting.

This is a version of the UN climate mock negotiations exercise developed by Shangrila Joshi Wynn.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

Model Diplomacy is the Council on Foreign Relations’ (CFR) free multimedia simulation program. It engages students through role-play and case studies to understand the issues, institutions, and challenges of creating and implementing U.S. foreign policy. It is an adaptable interactive resource that promotes independent research, critical thinking, effective communication, and collaborative approaches to problem solving. Model Diplomacy places students in the position of policymakers deliberating hypothetical scenarios based on real issues. Content is informed by CFR experts.

Edward Snowden's leak of classified information about the NSA's surveillance of American citizens has touched off a debate about the need for government secrecy versus the public's right to know. Two student readings and discussion questions probe the controversy.

This course provides a broad overview of the theories of and approaches to the study of nationalist thought and practice. It also explores the related phenomena termed nationalism: national consciousness and identity, nations, nation-states, and nationalist ideologies and nationalist movements. The course analyzes nationalism’s emergence and endurance as a factor in modern politics and society. Topics include: nationalism and state-building, nationalism and economic modernization, nationalism and democratization, and nationalism and religious conflict.

Economics assume that exchange happens voluntarily, but sometimes exchange results in spillover effects called externalities. In this video, Professor Sean Mullholland of Stonehill College defines externalities and explains both public and private solutions to the problem.

Nelson Mandela was the first black President of South Africa. He spent 27 years in prison for trying to overthrow the pro-apartheid government. After he left prison, he worked to achieve human rights and a better future for everyone in South Africa.

This workshop is designed to introduce students to different perspectives on international politics in the 21st century. Students will explore how advances in information technology are changing international relations and global governance through opening new channels of communication, creating new methods of education, and new potentials for democratization. We will consider the positive and negative externalities associated with applications of such technologies. Students will be encouraged to look at alternative futures, and/or to frame solutions to problems that they define. The class will include guest lectures, discussions, and a final project and presentation.