PLSC 499 - Seminar in Research Techniques

(3 credits)

The “scope” of political science (definitions, approaches, issues, relationship to natural, physical, and other social sciences, etc.). Research methods(hypotheses, research designs, measurement, sampling, literature reviews, surveys, interviewing, etc.). Statistical analysis (descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, significance testing, software packages, etc.). The course culminates in the preparation and presentation of a senior capstone research paper. Prerequisite: Except for students majoring in political science or public administration, consent of the instructor. Fall, odd-numbered years.