The third edition of Research Methods for Political Science retains its effective approach to help students learn what to research, why to research, and how to research. Classroom tested, exceptionally readable and engaging, the text presents statistical methods in a conversational tone to help students surmount "math phobia".

David E. McNabb is Professor Emeritus and continuing adjunct professor at the Pacific Lutheran University School of Business. He has taught undergraduate and graduate management and administration courses for Edmonds Community College, Olympic College, Oregon State University, the University of Maryland-University College (Europe), the American University in Bulgaria, and the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, Latvia, a regional business education program in Northern France, and the master's in public administration program at Evergreen State College. Dr. McNabb has served in advisory positions for the U.S. Census Bureau, Seattle and Kirkland, Washington, and as an elected commissioner for a water and wastewater district in Washington State.

The third edition of Research Methods for Political Science retains its effective approach to helping students learn what to research, why to research and how to research. The text integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches to research in one volume and covers such important topics as research design, specifying research problems, designing questionnaires and writing questions, designing and carrying out qualitative research and analyzing both quantitative and qualitative research data. Heavily illustrated, classroom tested, exceptionally readable and engaging, the text presents statistical methods in a conversational tone to help students surmount "math phobia."

Updates to this new edition include:

• Research topics chapters have been upgraded and expanded.
• Two mixed methods design chapters have been added.
• A new chapter on hermeneutic analysis designs and research with large data sets.
• The chapter on multivariate statistics has been expanded, with an expanded discussion on logistic regression.
• Tools on how to prepare and present research findings are now featured in the appendix, allowing instructors more flexibility when teaching their courses.

Research Methods for Political Science will give students the confidence and knowledge they need to understand the methods and basics skills for data collection, presentation and analysis.

Introduction

Part 1: Foundations of Political Science Research

1. Introduction to Research Methods

2. Legal and Ethical Environment of Research

3. Research in Political Science

4. Paths Taken in Political Science Research

5. Research Decisions: Approaches and Designs

Part 2: Quantitative Research Methods

6. Fundamentals of Measurement and Statistics

7. Introduction to Sampling

8. Exploratory Research: Probing Designs

9. Descriptive Research: Survey Designs

10. Experimental Research: Causal Designs

11. Basic Exploratory and Descriptive Statistics

12. Testing Research Hypotheses

13. Correlation and Simple Linear Regression

14. Exploring Multivariate Statistics

15. Research with Very Large Data Sets (Big Data)

16. Parametric vs. Nonparametric Statistics

Part 3: Qualitative Research Methods

17. Beginning Qualitative Research: Document Research

18. Expository Research I: Text and Archival Designs

19. Expository Research II: Content, Meta-Analysis & Semiotics

20. Explanatory Research I: Case Studies and Historical Research

21. Explanatory Research II: Grounded Theory Designs

22. Interpretive Research I: Ethnographic Designs

23. Interpretive Research II: Hermeneutic Analysis Designs

24. Critical Research I: Feminist and Empowerment Designs

25. Critical Research II: Action Research Designs

26. Analyzing and Interpreting Qualitative Research Data

Part 4: Mixed Methods Designs

27. Introduction to Mixed Methods Research Designs

28. Mixed Methods Research Designs

Part 5: Appendices

Appendix A. Presenting Data in Tables, charts and Graphs

Appendix B. Preparing a Research Proposal

Appendix C. Organizing and Writing a Research Report

Appendix D. Using SPSS