Political science students need to get comfortable using the tools of political analysis. For stats-phobic undergrads, the research methods course need not need be nerve wracking, especially with Pollock’s bestselling text to help them along the way.
His brief, accessible guide walks students through the basics—measuring concepts, formulating and testing hypotheses, describing variables—while using key terms, chapter-opening objectives, 80 tables and figures, and class-tested exercises to get them using and applying their new skills.
The new fourth edition features enhanced treatment of research design and logic controlled comparison and illustrates complex relationships with more accessible examples. A completely revised rubric further helps students identify these complex relationships in their own research.
Formats Available from CQ Press
| ISBN: 978-1-60871-686-9 |
Format: Print Paperback |
Retail Price: $74.00 |
Price to Bookstores: $59.20 |
New to this Edition
The new fourth edition features enhanced treatment of research design and logic controlled comparison and illustrates complex relationships with more accessible examples. A completely revised rubric further helps students identify these complex relationships in their own research.
3rd Edition ©2009
2nd Edition ©2005
1st Edition ©2003
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Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Definition and Measurement of Concepts
Conceptual Definitions
Operational Definitions
2. Measuring and Describing Variables
Measuring Variables
Describing Variables
3. Proposing Explanations, Framing Hypotheses, and Making Comparisons
Proposing Explanations
Framing Hypotheses
Making Comparisons
Graphing Relationships and Describing Patterns
4. The “How Else?” Question: Making Controlled Comparisons
Experimental Studies
Observational Studies
Three Scenarios: X Y, Controlling for Z
5. Sampling and Inference
Cross-Tabulation Analysis
Graphing Controlled Comparisons
6. Foundations of Statistical Inference
Population Parameters and Sample Statistics
Random Sampling
The Standard Error of a Sample Mean
Inference Using the Normal Distribution
Inference Using the Students' T-Distribution
What About Sample Proportions?
7. Tests of Significance and Measures of Association
Statistical Significance
Measures of Association
8. Correlation and Linear Regression
Correlation
Bivariate Regression
R-Square
Dummy Variable Regression
9. Logistic Regression
The Logistic Regression Approach
Finding the Best Fit: Maximum Likelihood Estimation
Logistic Regression with Multiple Independent Variables
Working with Probabilities
Testimonials
"Overall, this is a very good introduction to political science research methods.
The SPSS Companion is also quite useful for students who have not used any statistical software before. The writing and examples are very clear and interesting."
- Muhammet Bas, Harvard University "I think
The Essentials of Political Analysis is generally excellent. The information is packed in very tightly—-every paragraph contains a lot to think about—-but, in general, I think that is a strength. I am happy with the writing and examples. I plan to continue using Pollock’s text in the future."
- Scott Cooper, Brigham Young University"
Essentials is very concise but covers most of the bases I do in my introductory research methods course. I like that it has lots of examples. Good, strong definitions of terms match up well with the way I teach the class. It is a well organized text and clearly written. I switched to
Essentials text to use with the
Companion-—the two work well together."
- Kathleen Ferraiolo, James Madison University "
The Essentials of Political Analysis is well-written and generally well-organized. It teaches the principles of empirical political research in a manner that is neither dense nor intimidating, focusing on the application of data analysis techniques and avoiding an overabundance of equations. The exercises are very good, and my students learn a lot from doing them."
- Jonathan Hanson, Syracuse University
Bio(s)
Philip H. Pollock III, University of Central Florida
Philip H. Pollock III is professor of political science at the University of Central Florida. He has taught courses in research methods at the undergraduate and graduate levels for nearly 30 years. His main research interests are American public opinion, voting behavior, techniques of quantitative analysis, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. His recent research has been on the effectiveness of Internet-based instruction. Pollock’s research has appeared in the
American Journal of Political Science, Social Science Quarterly, and
British Journal of Political Science. Recent scholarly publications include articles in
Political Research Quarterly, the
Journal of Political Science Education, and
PS: Political Science and Politics.
Ancillaries
Instructor's Resources available for adopters!
For adopters: A solutions manual to all of the book's exercises is available
http://college.cqpress.com/instructors-resources/pollock/
The Essentials of Political Analysis, 4e + An SPSS Companion to Political Analysis, 4e
ISBN: 978-1-6087-1920-4, Price: $108.00
The Essentials of Political Analysis, 4e + A Stata Companion to Political Analysis, 2e
ISBN: 978-1-6087-1921-1, Price: $108.00
The Essentials of Political Analysis, 4e + A Stata Companion to Political Analysis, 2e + Writing a Research Paper in Political Science, 2e
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ISBN: 978-1-4522-8470-5, Price: $123.00
The Essentials of Political Analysis, 4e + An SPSS Companion to Political Analysis, 4e + Writing a Research Paper in Political Science, 2e
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ISBN: 978-1-4522-8527-6, Price: $123.00
The Essentials of Political Analysis, 4e + Conducting Empirical Analysis
Pollock, Clawson, Oxley
ISBN: 978-1-4522-6784-5, Price: $80.00
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