Course
description 
This course exposes students to the wide range of research practices
within political science and the social sciences more generally. It is
strongly recommended as preparation for MA thesis work in Political
Studies, but will be of value for further study or a career involving the
management of significant research and writing projects.
The course will have four components: 1) Managing projects; 2) Working
with scholarly literature; 3) Locating, generating, and analysing
evidence; 4) Presenting research results. Issues of research ethics,
implications of the Treaty of Waitangi for conducting social science
research in New Zealand, and the philosophy and practice of Kaupapa Mâori
research will be integrated into discussions where appropriate.
The course will include several skill-building components. Some of these
will involve one-hour or two-hour sessions where students will gain
exposure to software packages and library and archive resources.
Recommended reading
Links are through
to the Voyager record. Items are cited according to the Chicago Manual of Style 15th ed. 'Bibliography' style.
Note: Course readings may only be used for the University's educational purposes. You may print a copy for your own use, but you may not make a further copy for any other purpose. You may not copy or distribute any part of the reading to any other person. Failure to comply with these terms may expose you to legal action for copyright infringement and/or disciplinary action by the University.
Required reading
This text provides a sound introduction to the practice of research in
the field of political studies.
Burnham, Peter, Karin Gilland, Wyn Grant, and Zig Layton-Henry. Research
Methods in Politics. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2004.
Library copy
Selective reading
These texts contain a large amount of information that can help you
build your skills as social science researchers.
Frankfort-Nachmias, Chava, and David Nachmias. Research
Methods in the Social Sciences. 5th ed. London: Arnold,
1996.
Library copy
Locke, Lawrence F., Waneen Wyrick Spirduso, and Stephen J.
Silverman. Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and
Grant Proposals. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2000.
Library copy | E-book
Marsh, David, and Gerry Stoker, eds. Theory
and Methods in Political Science. 2nd ed. New York: Palgrave
MacMillan, 2002.
Library copy
Miller, Jane E. The
Chicago Guide to
Writing About Numbers. Chicago: The University of Chicago
Press, 2004.
Library copy
Shively, W. Phillps. The
Craft of Political Research. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.
Library copy
Introduction and Overview
Burnham, Peter, Karin Gilland, Wyn Grant, and Zig Layton- Henry. "Introduction: Methods, Methodology and Making Sense of the Study of
Politics." In Research
Methods in Politics. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2004.
Library copy
Core
Workshops
Theory and Method in Political Science
Topic Choice and Proposal Development
Locating and Reviewing Relevant Literature
Approaches to Research Design
Ethics and Political Research
Project Management and Knowledge Management
Case Selection and Comparative Methodology
Archival Analysis
Interview Strategies and Participant Observation
Survey Design and Data Management
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Presenting Your Evidence and Making Your
Arguments
Theory and Method in
Political Science
Required reading
Burnham, Peter, Karin Gilland, Wyn Grant, and Zig Layton- Henry.
"Conclusion: Challenging the
Mainstream and the Qualitative/Quantitative Divide." Chap. 12
in Research
Methods in Politics. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004.
Library copy
Burnham, Peter, Karin Gilland, Wyn Grant, and Zig Layton- Henry.
"The Discipline of Politics." Chap. 1 Research
Methods in Politics. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2004.
Library copy
Selective reading
Bevir, Mark, and R.A.W. Rhodes. "Interpretive Theory." In Theory
and Methods in Political Science, edited by David Marsh and
Gerry Stoker, chap. 6. 2nd ed. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2002.
Library copy
Buckler, Steve. "Normative Theory." In Theory
and Methods in Political Science, edited by David Marsh and
Gerry Stoker, chap. 8. 2nd ed. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2002.
Library copy
Lowndes, Vivien. "Institutionalism." In Theory
and Methods in Political Science, edited by David Marsh and
Gerry Stoker, chap. 4. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2002.
Library copy
Marsh, David. "Marxism." In Theory
and Methods in Political Science, edited by David Marsh and
Gerry Stoker, chap. 7. 2nd ed. New York: Palgrave MacMillan,
2002.
Library copy
Randall, Vicky. "Feminism." In Theory
and Methods in Political Science, edited by David Marsh and
Gerry Stoker, chap. 5. 2nd ed. New York: Palgrave MacMillan,
2002.
Library copy
Sanders, David. "Behaviourism." In Theory
and Methods in Political Science, edited by David Marsh and
Gerry Stoker, chap. 2. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2002.
Library copy
Ward, Hugh. "Rational Choice." In Theory
and Methods in Political Science, edited by David Marsh and
Gerry Stoker, chap. 3. 2nd ed. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2002.
Library copy
Topic Choice and Proposal Development
Required reading
Locke, Lawrence F., Waneen Wyrick Spirduso, and Stephen J.
Silverman. "Developing the
Thesis or Dissertation Proposal: Some Common Problems." Chap.
3 in Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and
Grant Proposals. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2000.
Library copy | E-book
Locke, Lawrence F., Waneen Wyrick Spirduso, and Stephen J.
Silverman. "The Function of the Proposal." Chap. 1 in Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and
Grant Proposals. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2000.
Library copy | E-book
Shively, W. Phillps. "Choice of a Topic." Pages 21-23 in The
Craft of Political Research. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.
Library copy
---. "Machiavellian Guide to Developing Research
Topics." Pages 27-30 in The
Craft of Political Research. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.
Library copy
Sternberg, David. "The Great Decision: Reordering Priorities
and Choosing a (Viable) Topic." Chapter 2 in How
to Complete and Survive a Doctoral Dissertation. New York :
St. Martin's Press, 1981. Focus
on pages 47-55.
Library copy
Selective reading
Madsen, David. 1992. 'Selecting and Shaping the Research Topic' and
'Preparing the Research Proposal.' Chapters 3 and 4 in Successful
Dissertations and Theses. 2nd ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Library copy
Mintrom, Michael. "Choose Projects Carefully." Pages 25-26 in
People Skills for Policy Analysts. Washington, DC: Georgetown
University Press, 2003.
Library copy
Przeworski, Adam, and Frank Salomon. 1995. The Art of Writing
Proposals: Some Candid Suggestions for Applicants to Social Science
Research Council Competitions. New York: Social Science Research
Council. Web Resource.
Internet
Locating and
Reviewing Relevant Literature
Required reading
Knopf, Jeffrey W. "Doing a Literature Review." PS, Political
Science and Politics 39, no. 1 (2006): 127-132.
Library copy | Journal article
Locke, Lawrence F., Waneen Wyrick Spirduso, and Stephen J.
Silverman. 2 "Reviewing the Literature: Finding It First."
Pages 63-68 in Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and
Grant Proposals. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2000.
Library copy | E-book
---. "Reviewing the Literature: Writing the Right Stuff." 68-74
in Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and
Grant Proposals. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2000.
Library copy | E-book
Selective reading
Sternberg, David. "Review of the Literature." Pages.
92-98 in
How to Complete and Survive a Doctoral Dissertation. New York :
St. Martin's Press, 1981. Focus on pages 47-55.
Library copy
Weimer, David L. and Aidan R. Vining. "Gathering Information
for Policy Analysis." Chapter 13 in Policy Analysis: Concepts and
Practice. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice
Hall, 2005.
Library copy
Approaches to
Research Design
Required reading
Burnham, Peter, Karin Gilland, Wyn Grant, and Zig Layton-Henry.
"Research Design." Chap. 2 in Research
Methods in Politics. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2004.
Library copy
Selective reading
Frankfort-Nachmias, Chava, and David Nachmias. "Basic Elements
of Research." Chap. 3 in Research
Methods in the Social Sciences. 5th ed. London: Arnold,
1996.
Library copy
---. "Research Designs:
Cross-Sectional and Quasi-Experimental Designs." Chap. 6 in Research
Methods in the Social Sciences. 5th ed. London: Arnold,
1996.
Library copy
---. "Research Designs: Experiments." Chap. 5 in Research
Methods in the Social Sciences. 5th ed. London: Arnold,
1996.
Library copy
Shively, W. Phillps. "Causal Thinking and
Design of Research." Chap. 6 in his The
Craft of Political Research. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.
Library copy
---. "Doing Research." Chap. 1 in his The
Craft of Political Research. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.
Library copy
Ethics and Political
Research
Required reading
Burnham, Peter, Karin Gilland, Wyn Grant, and Zig Layton- Henry.
"Ethics and Political Research." Chap. 11 in Research
Methods in Politics. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2004.
Library copy
Shively, W. Phillps. "Ethics of Political Research." pp.
11-12 in his The
Craft of Political Research. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.
Library copy
Selective reading
Frankfort-Nachmias, Chava, and David Nachmias. 1996. 'Ethics in
Social Science Research'. Chapter 4 in Research
Methods in the Social Sciences. 5th ed. London: Arnold,
1996.
Library copy
Locke, Lawrence F., Waneen Wyrick Spirduso, and Stephen J.
Silverman. "Doing the Right Thing: The Habit of
Truth." Chap. 2 in Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and
Grant Proposals. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2000.
Library copy |E-book
Project Management
and Knowledge Management
Required reading
Cook, Curtis R. "Project Management Overview." Chap. 1 in
Just Enough Project Management. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005.
Library copy | E-book
Luecke, Richard. "Project Management as a Process." Chap.
1
in Managing Projects Large and
Small. Boston, MA: Harvard Business
School Press, 2004.
Library copy
---. "Work Breakdown." Chap. 5
in Managing Projects Large and
Small. Boston, MA: Harvard Business
School Press, 2004.
Library copy
Luecke, Richard. "Managing Risk." Chap. 8
in Managing Projects Large and
Small. Boston, MA: Harvard Business
School Press, 2004.
Library copy
Selective reading
Advise Received, Action Taken' and 'Rolling Task List' from
Mintrom's Best Evidence Synthesis Project.
Heerkens, Gary R. "A Few More Words About the Punch List
Approach." pp. 234-235. In his Project
Management. New York: McGraw Hill, 2002.
Library copy | E-book
Pfeffer, Jeffrey, and Robert I. Sutton. "Turning Knowledge into
Action." Chap. 8 in The Knowing-Doing Gap: How Smart
Companies Turn Knowledge into Action. Boston, MA: Harvard Business
School Press, 2000.
Library copy | E-book
---. "Knowing 'What' to Do is Not Enough." Chap. 1 in The Knowing-Doing Gap: How Smart
Companies Turn Knowledge into Action. Boston, MA: Harvard Business
School Press, 2000.
Library copy | E-book
Case Selection and
Comparative Methodology
Required reading
Burnham, Peter, Karin Gilland, Wyn Grant, and Zig Layton-Henry.
"Comparative Methodology." Chap. 3 in Research
Methods in Politics. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2004.
Library copy
Shively, W. Phillps. "Selection of Observations for
Study." Chap. 7 In his The
Craft of Political Research. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.
Library copy
Selective reading
Hopkin, Jonathan. "Comparative Methods." In Theory
and Methods in Political Science. 2nd ed., edited by David Marsh and Gerry
Stoker, Chap. 12. New York: Palgrave
MacMillan, 2002.
Library copy
Archival Analysis
Required reading
Burnham, Peter, Karin Gilland, Wyn Grant, and Zig Layton-Henry.
"Documentary and Archival Analysis." Chap. 7 in Research
Methods in Politics. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2004.
Library copy
Selective reading
Burnham, Peter, Karin Gilland, Wyn Grant, and Zig Layton-Henry.
"The Internet and Political Research." Chap. 8 in Research
Methods in Politics. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2004.
Library copy
Frankfort-Nachmias, Chava, and David Nachmias. "Secondary Data
Analysis'. Chap. 13 in Research
Methods in the Social Sciences. 5th ed. London: Arnold,
1996.
Library copy
Interview Strategies
and Participant Observation
Required reading
Burnham, Peter, Karin Gilland, Wyn Grant, and Zig Layton-Henry.
"Elite Interviewing." Chap. 9 in Research
Methods in Politics. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2004.
Library copy
---. "Participant Observation and the
Analysis of Communications."' Chap. 10 in Research
Methods in Politics. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2004.
Library copy
Mintrom, Michael. "Interviewing Informants." Chap. 4 in
People Skills for Policy Analysts. Washington, DC: Georgetown
University Press, 2003.
Library copy
Selective reading
Devine, Fiona. "Qualitative Methods." Chap. 9 in Theory
and Methods in Political Science. 2nd ed., edited by David Marsh and Gerry
Stoker. New York: Palgrave
MacMillan, 2002.
Library copy
Frankfort-Nachmias, Chava, and David Nachmias. "Observational
Methods." Chap. 9 in Research
Methods in the Social Sciences. 5th ed. London: Arnold,
1996.
Library copy
---. "Qualitative Research." Chap. 12 in Research
Methods in the Social Sciences. 5th ed. London: Arnold,
1996.
Library copy
Survey Design and
Data Management
Required reading
Burnham, Peter, Karin Gilland, Wyn Grant, and Zig Layton-Henry.
"Surveys and Opinion Polls." Chap. 4 in Research
Methods in Politics. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2004.
Library copy
Selective reading
Frankfort-Nachmias, Chava, and David Nachmias.
"Measurement." Chap.7 in Research
Methods in the Social Sciences. 5th ed. London: Arnold,
1996.
Library copy
---. " Questionnaire Construction." Chap.11 in Research
Methods in the Social Sciences. 5th ed. London: Arnold,
1996.
Library copy
---. "Sampling and Sample Designs." Chap. 8 in Research
Methods in the Social Sciences. 5th ed. London: Arnold,
1996.
Library copy
---. "Survey Research." Chap. 10 in Research
Methods in the Social Sciences. 5th ed. London: Arnold,
1996.
Library copy
John, Peter. "Quantitative Methods." Chap.10 in Theory
and Methods in Political Science. 2nd ed. New York: Palgrave
MacMillan, 2002.
Library copy
Shively, W. Phillps. "Problems of Measurement: Accuracy."
Chap. 4 in The
Craft of Political Research. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.
Library copy
---. "Problems of Measurement: Precision." Chap. 5 in The
Craft of Political Research. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.
Library copy
Data Analysis and
Interpretation
Required reading
Burnham, Peter, Karin Gilland, Wyn Grant, and Zig Layton-Henry.
"Descriptive Statistics." Chap. 5 in Research
Methods in Politics. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2004.
Library copy
---. "Making Inferences." Chap. 6 in Research
Methods in Politics. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2004.
Library copy
Selective reading
Frankfort-Nachmias, Chava, and David Nachmias. 1996. 'The Univariate
Distribution'. Chapter 15 in Research
Methods in the Social Sciences. 5th ed. London: Arnold,
1996.
Library copy
Miller, Jane E. "Causality,
Statistical Significance, and Substantive Significance." Chap. 3 in The
Chicago Guide to Writing About Numbers. Chicago: The University of
Chicago Press, 2004.
Library copy
---. "Seven Basic Principles." Chap. 2 in The
Chicago Guide to Writing About Numbers. Chicago: The University of
Chicago Press, 2004.
Library copy
---. "Technical But Impotant: Five More Basic
Principles." Chap. 4 in The
Chicago Guide to Writing About Numbers. Chicago: The University of
Chicago Press, 2004.
Library copy
---. " Writing About
Distributions and Associations." Chap. 9 in The
Chicago Guide to Writing About Numbers. Chicago: The University of
Chicago Press, 2004.
Library copy
Presenting Your
Evidence and Making Your Arguments
Required reading
Locke, Lawrence F., Waneen Wyrick Spirduso, and Stephen J.
Silverman. "About Abstracts." 181-185. Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and
Grant Proposals. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2000.
Library copy | E-book
---. "Style and Form in Writing the Proposal." Chap.
6 In Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and
Grant Proposals. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2000.
Library copy | E-book
Mintrom, Michael. 2003. 'Writing for Multiple Audiences'. Chap. 8
in
People Skills for Policy Analysts. Washington, DC: Georgetown
University Press, 2003.
Library copy
Selective reading
Miller, Jane E. "Choosing Effective Examples and
Analogies." Chap. 8 in The
Chicago Guide to Writing About Numbers. Chicago: The University of Chicago
Press, 2004.
Library copy
---. "Writing About Data and Methods." Chap.10 in The
Chicago Guide to Writing About Numbers. Chicago: The University of Chicago
Press, 2004.
Library copy
---. "Writing Introductions, Results,
and Conclusions." Chap.11 in The
Chicago Guide to Writing About Numbers. Chicago: The University of Chicago
Press, 2004.
Library copy
Elective, Participant-led Presentation Topics
Multitasking and Time Management
Choosing and Working with a Supervisor
Creating and Maintaining Effective Filing Systems
Making Effective Presentations
Kaupapa Maori Research Methods
Researching Sensitive Topics
Multitasking and
Time Management
Primary Reading
Covey, Stephen R. "Principals of Personal Management Habit 3."
146-182 in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective
People. New
York: Simon and Schuster, 1989.
Library copy
McCorry, K. J. 'Understanding Your Organizational Issues and
Goals'. Part I in Organize Your Work Day
-- In No Time. Indianapolis,
IN: Que, 2005.
Library copy
Mintrom, Michael. "Managing Your Time." Pages 33-37 in
People Skills for Policy Analysts. Washington, DC: Georgetown
University Press, 2003.
Library copy
Choosing and Working
with a Supervisor
Primary Reading
Marsden, David. 1992. 'Working with the Research Adviser and
Advisory Committee'. Chap. 2 in .
2nd ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Library copy
Robinson, Nick. 1997. 'The Student-Supervisor Relationship'. Chapter
7 in Surviving the Research Process in Politics ed. Peter Burnham.
London: Pinter.
Library copy
Creating and
Maintaining Effective Filing Systems
Primary Reading
McCorry, K.J. "Creating the Perfect File System." Chap. 4
in Organize Your Work Day
-- In No Time. Indianapolis,
IN: Que, 2005.
Library copy
Mintrom, Michael. "Organizing Your Workspace." Pages 37-41
in
People Skills for Policy Analysts. Washington, DC: Georgetown
University Press, 2003.
Library copy
Making Effective
Presentations
Locke, Lawrence F., Waneen Wyrick Spirduso, and Stephen J.
Silverman. "The Oral Presentation." Chap. 7 in Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and
Grant Proposals. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2000.
Library copy | E-book
Mintrom, Michael. "Giving Presentations." Chap. 5 in
People Skills for Policy Analysts. Washington, DC: Georgetown
University Press, 2003.
Library copy
Miller, Jane E. "Speaking about Numbers." Chap. 12 in The
Chicago Guide to
Writing About Numbers. Chicago: The University of Chicago
Press, 2004.
Library copy
Kaupapa Maori Research
Methods
Barnes, Helen Moewaka. "Maori and Evaluation: Some Issues to
Consider." Section 4.2 in Evaluating Policy and Practice: A New
Zealand Reader, edited by Neil Lunt, Carl Davidson, and Kate McKegg.
Auckland: Pearson Education, 2003.
Library copy
Smith, Linda Tuhiwai. Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and
Indigenous Peoples. New York: Zed Books, 1998.
Library copy
Sporle, Andrew. 2003. ''So Maori Development Fits in How?- The
Realities of Attempting to Implement Kaupapa Maori Practice Evaluation
in a Contractual Situation." Section 2.3 in Evaluating Policy and Practice: A New
Zealand Reader, edited by Neil Lunt, Carl Davidson, and Kate McKegg.
Auckland: Pearson Education, 2003.
Library copy
Researching Sensitive
Topics
Renzetti, Claire M., and Raymond M. Lee, eds. Researching
Sensitive Topics. Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1993.
Library copy
Optional Skill-building Workshops
Library workshops | Student Learning Centre
Reference books
Reference books are a good place to start researching a topic because the information is brief and written by experts. Use reference books for concise introductions, facts, or definitions. Some are in print, some are online. Some are in reference collections, some are on the open shelves. The Arts Reference Collection is located on Level 1, General Library.
Handbooks
Goodin, Robert E. . Oxford: Oxford University
Press, 1998.
Library copy | E-book
Encyclopedias
Lewis-Beck, Michael S., Alan Bryman, and Tim Futing Liao, eds. The
Sage Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods.
Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage, 2004.
Library copy | E-book available in Sage Reference Online.
Smelser, Neil J., and Paul B. Baltes, eds. International
Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioural Sciences. Oxford:
Elsevier Science, 2001.
Library copy | Database
Dictionaries
Schwand, Thomas A. 2007. Sage Dictionary
of Qualitative Inquiry. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, Calif .: Sage.
Library copy
Vogt, W. Paul. 1999. Dictionary of Statistics and Methodology: a
Nontechnical Guide for the Social Sciences. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks,
Calif .: Sage.
E-book
Voyager searches
Suggested subject searches on Voyager. .
Business
Presentations
Case method
Policy sciences
Case studies
Policy sciences Methodology
Political science Authorship
Political science Research Methodology
Project
management
Proposal writing
for grants
Proposal writing in research
Questionnaires
Research methodology
Social sciences Authorship
Social sciences Research
Social
sciences Research Methodology
Social sciences
Statistical methods
Social surveys Methodology
Databases
See also the Political
Studies resource pages.
International
International Bibliography of the Social Sciences
Excellent database for finding articles in the social sciences with a theoretical focus.
International Political
Science Abstracts
Very
good database for political science, especially political theory.
PAIS
(Public Affairs Information Service)
A useful index covering
political, social, and public policy issues.
Worldwide
Political Science Abstracts
Extremely
good for comparative politics.
New Zealand
Index
New Zealand
Indexes New
Zealand journals and newspapers.
Newspapers
Newspapers are a useful place to find topical issues being debated in
society.
ANZ Reference Centre
Factiva
Newspapersource
Social sciences research methodology
Sage Reference Online
See especially the Research Methods & Evaluation collection
Internet sites
Statistical information
Statistical
Sources : New Zealand
Data links and resources arranged by topic for example benefits,
income, health.
OffStats
: Official Statistics on the Web
New Zealand
New Zealand Government Information
New Zealand Parliament
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