Core Science – Research Basics
Program: M.A. Political Science
Level: Graduate (Core Science)
“Research is the systematic pursuit of knowledge, guided by a clear question and a logical, transparent method.”
1. Simple Explanation
Research in political science is a structured process that moves from question → hypothesis → data → analysis → conclusion.
At each step we ask: What do we want to know? and How can we find out?
| Stage | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Question | The core problem or curiosity. | Gives direction. |
| Hypothesis / Objective | Testable prediction or goal. | Provides a focus. |
| Methodology | How we collect and analyze data. | Ensures rigor & repeatability. |
| Data | Raw information (surveys, interviews, archives). | Basis for conclusions. |
| Analysis | Turning data into patterns. | Converts information into knowledge. |
| Conclusion | What the data tell us about the question. | Adds to theory or policy. |
2. Key Points
| # | Concept | Definition | Typical Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Research Design | Blueprint that outlines data sources, sampling, instruments, and procedures. | Cross‑sectional survey, longitudinal panel, experimental vignette. |
| 2 | Variables | Elements that can vary and be measured. | Independent variable: campaign spending; Dependent variable: voter turnout. |
| 3 | Operationalization | Translating abstract concepts into measurable terms. | “Political trust” → Likert‑scale score. |
| 4 | Sampling | A subset of the population used to infer about the whole. | Simple random sample, stratified sample, convenience sample. |
| 5 | Data Collection Methods | Qualitative: interviews, focus groups, ethnography. Quantitative: surveys, experiments, secondary data. |
|
| 6 | Validity & Reliability | Validity – does it measure what it claims? Reliability – can you get the same result repeatedly? |
Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency. |
| 7 | Ethics | Protect participants’ rights, obtain consent, ensure confidentiality. | Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. |
| 8 | Data Analysis | Statistical tests (t‑test, regression, factor analysis) or qualitative coding. | Multiple regression to test effect of media exposure on political participation. |
| 9 | Interpretation & Theory Building | Linking results back to existing literature and theory. | Extending the “media agenda‑setting” theory. |
| 10 | Reporting | Writing the thesis or article: abstract, intro, methods, results, discussion, references. | APA or Chicago style. |
3. Worked Example
Research Question:
Does exposure to political content on social media increase civic engagement among young adults (18‑29)?
3.1. Formulating the Hypothesis
- H₁: Higher exposure to political posts on social media is positively associated with the frequency of attending political events.
- H₂: The relationship is moderated by political efficacy (higher efficacy → stronger effect).
3.2. Research Design
- Design: Cross‑sectional survey with a moderated regression analysis.
- Population: Young adults in the U.S. (18–29).
- Sample: 800 respondents chosen via stratified random sampling (by state, gender, ethnicity).
3.3. Operationalization
| Concept | Measure | Instrument | Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social media exposure | Self‑reported hours per day spent on politics | 5‑point Likert (0 = none to 4 = >5 hrs) | Ordinal |
| Civic engagement | Number of political events attended in past year | Count | Ratio |
| Political efficacy | PSES (Political Efficacy Scale) | 5‑item Likert | Interval |
3.4. Data Collection
- Survey administered online via Qualtrics.
- Response Rate: 52% (≈ 416 valid responses).
- Ethics: Informed consent obtained; data anonymized.
3.5. Data Analysis
- Descriptive Statistics – mean exposure = 1.8 hrs/day.
- Correlation – r = 0.32, p < .01.
- Moderated Regression
[ \text{CivicEngage}_i = \beta_0 + \beta_1 \text{Exposure}_i + \beta_2 \text{Efficacy}_i + \beta_3 (\text{Exposure}_i \times \text{Efficacy}_i) + \epsilon_i ]- β₁ = 0.15 (p < .05).
- β₃ = 0.08 (p < .10, marginal).
3.6. Interpretation
- Positive association: Each additional hour of political social‑media exposure increases the likelihood of attending a political event by ~15%.
- Moderation: The effect is stronger for those with higher political efficacy.
3.7. Writing the Findings
- Abstract: Summarize question, method, main results.
- Intro: Contextualize with literature on media and civic engagement.
- Methods: Detail design, sample, measures, analysis.
- Results: Present tables of regression coefficients.
- Discussion: Implications for theory (media agenda‑setting) and policy (digital civic education).
4. Quick Revision Summary
- Research Question → Hypothesis → Design → Sampling → Data → Analysis → Conclusion
- Key Concepts: Variables, operationalization, sampling, validity, reliability, ethics.
- Design Types: Quantitative (survey, experiment) vs. Qualitative (interviews, case study).
- Common Analyses: Correlation, t‑tests, regression, ANOVA, thematic coding.
- Ethics: Informed consent, confidentiality, IRB