POLITICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Abstract

This is an area where there is considerable disagreement on the definition of concepts, and what is right and wrong. Accordingly you should read widely and critically; never assume that you need to accept every concept and every assertion. You will probably be able to find an exception to every rule (see Feyer bend, 1975, for an extreme version of this principle). These notes are intended as a brief overview of the main issues. It is important that you read in more depth on the specific issues of particular concern to you. For example, if you intend to conduct some interviews or a questionnaire survey, it is important that you consult a suitable source of guidance on surveys, interviews and questionnaires – eg Saunders et al (2003), Robson (2002), Easterby-Smith et al (2002).