Product Description

Don t let an introduction to research methods be your studentsleast favorite (and most intimidating) political science course. Relevant, timely, insightful, comprehensive, and always mindful of their student audience, the authors have revamped their popular text so that the sixth edition is friendlier and more intuitive than ever the perfect gateway to understanding not just thehowbut also thewhybehind research into politics.

Covering the discipline s major methods, the authors lead students step-by-step through the logic of research design.Building blockchapters on hypothesis formation and testing, variables, and measurement are right up front; the introduction to research design, sampling, and literature reviews now come with more explanation as to why a researcher would pursue different kinds of methods; the stats chapters begin with a common-sense primer that walks students through foundational ideas and practices. Throughout the text, updated examples of contemporary research problems keep readers engaged.

Each chapter has bolded key terms that are also listed in a glossary at the end of each chapter and the end of the text.Helpful hintsfeature boxes give students nuts-and-bolts reminders they can refer to when they conduct their own research or assess the work of others.

NEW TO THIS EDITION

• New examples of political science research in Chapter 1, including a case on judicial decision making and current research into public opinion on the war in Iraq.
• Expanded discussion of theory in Chapter 2, showing how competing paradigms can be applied to the same topic of study.
• Substantially updated discussion of survey research including coverage of Internet polling and a fuller description of interviewing.
• Computational formulas and calculations are now featured inHow It s Doneboxes allowing students to separate lengthy calculations from substantive discussion of the meaning or interpretation of statistical results.
• Greater coverage of newer developments in applied statistics, including exploratory data analysis and descriptive and inferential statistics for counts and functions of counts. In general, less emphasis on computation, and more on interpretation.
• Reorganized statistics chapters for better comprehension with regression analysis and logistic regression in their own chapters.
• A new overview of statistical analysis, including discussion of data preparation, description, modeling, inference, interpretation, and the communication of results.

Customer Reviews (1)

Good information buried in fluff
This author needs to take two classes at whichever university she teaches: (1) instructional design and (2) writing concisely. This book has quite a lot of good information, but it is all buried within convoluted fluff.

There are many other books on research methodology that (a) do a better job of explaining, (b) include more comprehensive rules for research, and (c) don't take up so much of your valuable time with fluff. I recommend you look at those other books -- especially if you are a professor who is choosing a book for your students. ... Read more

Book Description

Exceptionally up-to-date and rich in cross-national examples, Political Science offers an unbiased and thorough introduction to the basic concepts and theories of political science. With a critical look at the major theories, it exposes students to many ways of thinking, and challenges them to think critically. Emphasizing both U.S. and comparative politics provides students with a solid foundation for connecting their studies on what is happening in the world around them.

Customer Reviews (2)

Author needs to take Political Science 101
While study one night I had to stop and write up a review for this "textbook". I agree with the other 1 star reviewer. At first I thought the person was exaggerating. Boy was I wrong.

The author is very biased and one sided and that is just not acceptable when writing a Intro to Political Science book. There are ignorant and bias thoughts and sentences throughout. Here are two examples, both on the first page of the first chapter:

"Interest in politics in the United States has slumped. Not only students but also attentive and educated citizens have turned away from politics."

Here's another, a paragraph down.......

"Perhaps terrorism and recession are needed to renew interest in politics." This guy is an ass!!

Do no waste your money on this rubbish. I suggest in its place "Ideals and Ideologies: A reader" (5th ed. by Terence Ball) as an excellent Intro to Political Science textbook. If your professor requires this "textbook", bring to the attention of him or her that this is not good study material.

"Unbiased?" Yeah, right!
Let me start by admitting I have the Seventh Edition (2000), not the 2002 version. However, I doubt that there could be much improvement. This "textbook" can only be the product of gross incompetence or extreme bias, I will let you decide which.

For example, page 340 reads "It is true that some regimes commit acts of great evil; military regimes in Argentina, Chile, and Guatemala killed thousands on the slightest suspicion of leftism. But how is it that these military regimes came to power? Why does system breakdown recur repeatedly in such contries?"

So, does the author not know that we, the US, overthrew the democratically elected Arbenz in Guatemalla, and Allende in Chile? Everyone else knows this...and does the author not know that Chile, prior to this installation of Pinochet, was the one stable democracy in Latin America? So how then is Chile a case of this "recur(ing) repeatedly? (sic)" It happened once. Does the fact that two of his three examples of internal "system breakdown" leading to regime change actualy represent partially, or largely, the external actions of a superpower interfering in the internal affairs of weaker soveriegn countries not seem to be problematic? How can these be used as examples of internal processes when everyone knows what really happened, and that is not it? The author, in order to assert this, must be grossly ignorant of history (thereby disqualifying him as a viable authority in the field) or, knowing history, must be intentionally and knowingly distorting it for political reasons (thereby making him unquestionably biased, intellectually dishonest, and also therefore unsuited for the field).

On top of that we have the unfortunately normal systemic incompetence of the Political Science field in general. "Theory" and "causation" are words which they have no grasp of the meaning of in academic discourse. Methodology is a joke; a pile of correlations mushed together with assertions and assumptions (some already disproven for a few decades elsewhere) to create just-so stories does not make a legitimate theory or even hypothesis. We know too much about human nature, via studies done in Psychology, Neurobiology, and Evolutionary Psychology, and empirical information from anthropology, primatology, andethology, and theoretical and empirical knowledge supplied by evolutionary biology, to just "assume" that humans are rational and go merrily on our way as Political Science is still doing. There is a huge body of knowledge on this question now, entire books debate it back and forth. It is in no way legitimate to simply plead ignorance and continue to build huge mental constructs of how the world works based on assumptions we in no way can justify making given what is known.

If this field were in any way deserving of the word "science," the knowledge that a fundamental "assumption" was seriously in doubt would result in massive questioning of the veracity of the ideas based on that assumption. That has not happened.

I urge you all not to waste your money on this book, I could give many more equally damning examples but the above should suffice. I also suggest that Evolutionary Psychology would be a far more profitable course of study if you want to know about human political behavior. ... Read more

Book Description
This easy-to-use guide shows readers how to think, research, and write like a political scientist and includes new coverage of current practices in using electronic databases and Internet sources. Political Inquiry; Critical Thinking About Politics; Choosing a Topic; Research Using the Internet and Traditional Sources; Properties of Essays; Common Problems With Writing; Format for the Manuscript; Comprehension and Synthesis of Class Materials; Managing and Processing Information; Conventional Research Papers; Special Analytical Techniques; Applied Political Science; Organizing and Documenting Research; Organizing and Documenting Career Development.Anyone who need to write about politics as part of their career or education. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

SolidWriting Guidance for Political Science Majors
I've been using this book in my freshman political science seminar for several years and it has many strengths. I especially like the first few chapters on the nature of political inquiry and what it means to think and write critically about politics. Its check list of properties of a good research paper is especially well done. The section on annotated bibliographies is very useful to get students started on papers.

Now for the weaknesses: the chapter on the format and examples of conventional research papers is limited to comparative, analytical and position papers. The formulae given for writing each type of paper doesn't seem especially useful to me. I'd prefer that students formulate a real question, write a literature review and use data to form useful conclusions. The paper formats provided do not do this. I've written my own handouts on paper formatting and structure rather than assign this one.

Despite its limitations, this is a very useful book for undergraduate political science majors. If I was starting out in the field, it is exactly what I'd want to know.

... Read more

Book Description
This comprehensive, practical writer's manual is designed to help readers accomplish two goals: 1) improve their writing skills and strategies and 2) learn political science at the same time. The manual considers the different types of papers common to political science at all levels, at the introductory level, and at the advanced level–exploring the purposes and characteristics of each paper, the steps for writing a successful paper, and typical formats. The volume provides a handbook of style for political science, guide to distance learning and the Internet and writing assignments for all levels. For those interested in improving the political science writing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent reference for political science students
If you are interested in political science and need to write about it,this is one book you should not miss.For beginners, the manual is usefulin laying out the foundations they should have in writing about politicalscience.The manual covers the basics in writing, such as grammar,punctuation and the format of the papers.For writers who are writing forspecific audiences, the manual offers suggestions how to improve and refineyour writing skills.For example, there are specific chapters dealing withwriting policy analysis, public opinion surveys an d other types ofwriting.The manual aims to give the reader a better understanding of whatis required of him or her when s/he undertakes the writing project.Italso covers areas like defining a topic and organising the researchprocess.Before you write a paper on political science, it is highlyrecommended that you use the manual to help hone your writing. ... Read more

Product Description

Does thesciencepart of political science cause your students to break out in a cold sweat? This companion workbook gives students the perfect opportunity to practice each of the methods presented in the text. To maximize their ability to master each technique, the workbook is organized to parallel the text chapter for chapter, breaking out each aspect of the research process into manageable parts, and comes with updated data sets and primary documents. Given invaluable feedback from adopters, this second edition workbook has been restructured so that exercises more consistently increase in complexity and degree of difficulty, and fuller, more explicit directions accompany problems.

... Read more

Book Description
This basic introduction to theory and methods in political science brings together specially commissioned chapters by leading scholars in every field into a carefully integrated and coherent text. ... Read more

Book Description
Use award-winning software to analyze and critically evaluate real data with the seventh edition of RESEARCH METHODS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE: AN INTRODUCTION USING MICROCASE® EXPLORIT. This workbook includes a Windows version of MicroCase ExplorIt, a user-friendly program that makes it easy to manipulate and learn from actual data without getting bogged down in complicated statistical software. Over two dozen research-quality data files are included in this package, along with 14 exercise worksheets (one per chapter) that let you see the real impact of the concepts you study. You're then walked through the entire research process, giving you hands-on experience in research methods. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A top notch introduction to social science research methods
I can't improve on Dr. Charlie Leonard's review so let me simply ratify his well chosen words.Le Roy and Corbett put the student in the driver's seat with powerful but easy-to-use software, an excellent assortment of data sets, and for the most part well crafted assignments that nicely complement the research design topics discussed in their textbook.

This book is not worth it.
This is the worst methods book that I have ever seen. Not only are the examples vague, the explanations are useless. Most of the calculations that they force students to do are done by SPSS or Excel automatically. MicroCase is worthless as well, insofar as demonstrating what can be done in the real world with statistical modeling. Do yourself a favor and use Pollack's book instead.

Understanding the "Science" in Political Science
Microcase's workbook explains, in simple terms, how political scientists use statistics and the scientific method to explain political and social phenomena. The workbook in itself is a terrific accomplishment. Thehands-on exercises, however, are what really bring the concepts home to thereader/student. Using real social and political data, Microcase leads theuser through real statistical explorations. It's a great tool for teaching,makes a good independent-study course, and would be an excellent way tolearn a little about the "science" in poli sci on one's own. ... Read more

Book Description
Learn to write a great research paper with WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER IN POLITICAL SCIENCE! This concise political science text is more than just a typical research methods text – it helps you master writing, methodological, and research skills with ease. Topics covered include how to develop a research question, write a literature review, design a study, analyze information, write introductory and concluding sections, and edit and revise a paper. With a glossary, writing checklists, and examples of different parts of papers written by actual undergraduates, this political science text provides you with the tools you need to write a good research paper. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

These guys suck.
I feel like it took forever for my book to get to me. They didn't let me know when it had been sent and there were no follo-up e-mails. I am really behind in school because of it. Worst ever! DO NOT GO WITH THESE GUYS!!!!

Excellent Resource!
This is a great book, especially for upper-level, undergraduate classes (although it would be very helpful for first-year graduate students, too).It does an excellent job of helping students combine what they learn in their substantive classes with their methods training and writing skills.I'll be assigning it in my class next semester! ... Read more

Book Description

Students value the book’s relevance to their experience of today’s world, its engaging, personal writing style, and the many intriguing examples (including more than 60 found in boxed discussions) from every part of the world, making concepts more vivid and memorable. The numerous political cartoons, compelling photographs, maps, and analytic diagrams effectively sustain students' interest and elaborate on key concepts. Instructors appreciate the book's comprehensive coverage of key theories and concepts and the logical manner in which it explores many of the interesting questions addressed by political scientists.

Customer Reviews (1)

Very Iformative + Easily Understood
In his book, Danziger does an excellent job in portraying the political world. One might argue that this is essentially what any other book on political science would do, and this true. However, Danziger manages to apply his own personal style to the work. His explanations are clear, and to the point. One of the major features of the book are the "boxes" that appear every so often. These usually contain real life issues, or historical events that demonstrate what is trying to be taught. All in all, James N. Danziger's book is an informative, and well text on the political science. ... Read more

Book Description
This volume is designed to serve as a core text for the widest range of Introduction to Political Science courses; also to be used as a supplement to a variety of textbooks in the field of political science. Although as a core book it will be succinct and tightly organized and without a particular disciplinary slant, it will present the essence of the subject in an interesting way. Chapters of special relevance: our Western political heritage, comparative politics, international relations, recent focuses of study. Major contributors to particular areas of political science will be noted throughout. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A good, wide-ranging primer
This short textbook gives a brief, balanced introduction to just about every aspect of political science.

I was drawn to this book partly because of the author's passionate opening assertion that "Throughout history the breakdown of political authority has taken a devastating toll in human suffering." I hoped that this strong point of view would be carried through the book and inform the author's explanations of the topics. While I can't exactly say that this was achieved, I can say that he does write from a strong conviction in the importance of politics in the widest sense, and with a sense that all the many aspects and subdisciplines of political science play important parts in this complex, sometimes ill-defined discipline.

The text is broken down into five parts, dealing respectively with the traditions of Western political thought, individual and group behavior, government institutions, international politics, and finally an examination of political science itself as a discipline. Each part consists of from two to five short chapters, which are in turn broken into subsections giving short descriptions of the important topics. With the possible exception of part 5 (since I am not a student of academic political science), I found Heineman's survey most relevant to helping my understanding of the political world.

To take one example, he covers a lot of ground in a short space as he describes the history of political thought and the thinking behind liberalism, Marxism, and conservatism. After a lifetime of reading newspapers and magazines, I felt for the first time that I was discovering what the core outlooks and ideas are behind the politics of the left and right, and why the various positions on the spectrum think as they do.

Heineman's writing style can be a little academic and wordy, and sometimes, in his zeal for balance, he gives the impression of trying almost too hard to see value in points of view that he clearly doesn't agree with (for example, postmodernism), but over all his interest in and respect for the discipline carries the day. Also, my copy, published in 1996, is a bit dated--although this is not important for a primer. The brevity of the individual subsections, which are almost like encyclopedia entries, also helps speed the reader along.

In sum, it is a wide, concise survey that lets you see the whole field in one text, so that you can decide which areas of the discipline you might want to examine further. At the very least, after reading this you should be able to get much more out of news stories. ... Read more

Book Description
"Stephen Van Evera's Guide to Methods makes an important contribution toward improving the use of case studies for theory development and testing in the social sciences. His trenchant and concise views on issues ranging from epistemology to specific research techniques manage to convey not only the methods but the ethos of research. This book is essential reading for social science students at all levels who aspire to conduct rigorous research."--Alexander L. George, Stanford University, and Andrew Bennett, Georgetown University

"Van Evera has a keen awareness of the questions that arise in every phase of the political science research project--from initial conception to final presentation. Although others may not agree with all of his specific advice, all will appreciate his user-friendly introduction to what is sometimes seen as anabstract and difficult topic."--Timothy J. McKeown, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

For the last few years, Stephen Van Evera has greeted new graduate students at MIT with a commonsense introduction to qualitative methods in the social sciences. His helpful hints, always warmly received, grew from a handful of memos to an underground classic primer. That primer has now evolved into a book of how-to information about graduate study, which is essential reading for graduate students and undergraduates in political science, sociology, anthropology, economics, and history--and for their advisers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Practical guide to research/writing (and the arrows work)
Van Evera's book is simple, to be sure, but not simplistic; a prior reviewer's gibes at the notion of flow-charting a theory, with arrows, are a bit off the mark.As the reviewer notes, a theory designates a causal relationship.If so -- no matter what its other "good" points (parsimony, explanatory reach, etc) -- you can draw that causal relationship between the various independent variables and the dependent variable they help to explain.You can even draw it with arrows.

In general this book is recommended for 1st or 2nd year political science graduate students, and useful for advanced undergraduates (who will only care about the 1st 100 pages or so).It is clear and eminently practical.Other reviewers are right to imply there is little here in the way of philosophy of science in the broadest sense.But that merely makes this book a complement, not a substitute, to more esoteric explorations of the topic.

Got Arrow Diagram?
In this book Mr. Van Evera introduces the reader to the gospel of arrow diagraming, in which all political science theories must be drawn as letters, representing variables, with arrows (representing causality) connecting them.Thus, to quote Van Evera, "a theory that cannot be arrow-diagrammed is not a theory and needs reframing to become a theory."Thus, by his measure, much of the poli sci "theories" are not theories at all.So what are GOOD theories, for van Evera, besides those that are easily arrow-diagramed?

Theories are general statements that describe and explain the causes or effects of classes of phenomena.They are composed of causal laws or hypotheses, explanations, and antecedent conditions.Explanations are also composed of causal laws or hypotheses, which are in turn composed of dependent and independent variables.A good theory has 7 characteristics: it has large explanatory power (importance, explanatory range, applicability), and is parsimonious, satisfying, clearly framed, falsifiable, explains important phenomena, and has "prescriptive richness."

In short, the book might teach newbies a thing or two about methodological rigor and research design, but is certainly no model of sophistication.In fact, the book is a perfect example of why American political "science" is sometimes mocked by the rest of the academic world. ... Read more

Book Description

The philosophy of politics

As an introduction to political theory and science, this collection of writings by the great philosophers will be of close interest to general readers. It also forms a basic textbook for students of government and political theory. Such fundamental concepts as Democracy, the Rule of Law, Justice, Natural Rights, Sovereignty, Citizenship, Power, the State, Revolution, Liberty, Reason, Materialism, Toleration, and the Place of Religion in Society are traced from their origins, through their development and changing patterns, to show how they guide political thinking and institutions today.

And new in this edition, examinations of selected works by Sophocles, Francois Hotman, and Francisco Suarez. Also new are a detailed table of contents and an up-dated, comprehensive bibliography--each clear and concise for easy reference.

The second volume of Professor Curtis' work, also available in a Discus edition, includes the writings of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth century thinkers--from Burke, Rousseau, and Kant to modern times. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A Great Overview
I highly recommend this volume for its breadth of coverage as an intro or a refresher. It enables the reader to get many of th ebasisc to use as a springboard to a further analysis of the philospohers one desires to read in greater detail. I am now reading Vol. 2.

Excellent survey of western political thought
In the introduction, Curtis writes this as the essence of the subject of these books:

"The core of political philosophy has always been the study of those central institutions, organizations and personnel that have the power to issue directions and rules, and the relationship of the governed to government.The recurring problems of political philosophy are those concerning the nature of society, law, obligation, rights, duties, command, responsiblity and obedience.In modern theory, there has been a preoccupation with sovereignty, power, influence, and groups."

Over the course of both volumes, Curtis presents a methodical layout of these issues, starting with the ancient Greeks to modern times, and it lives up to the aspirations stated up front.The ebb and flow of the often multiple jurisdictions and centers of power within a state often bring about the same questions in different eras.What rights do an individual have against the power of the state, and from where does this power derive?

A related question to this necessarily involves what the proper role a citizen or group has within the government, whether they should be identified solely as one of the whole, or whether they are members of a higher order, or whether their primary identity should be derived as biological and rational animals under the laws of nature.

As evidence that this is concerned only with theory and not history (where some leaders may have corrupted the theory), Marxism and nationalism, two of the most often-arising philsophies of the 20th century, are only given brief treatment, and even then, only on its merits as a theory, not practice.

The publishing date of the book may require some revisions of the organization of the later chapters, but for a brief two-volume collection of the writings on political philsophy, this book is a good buy.

An Excellent Survey of Politcal Thought
This book is a excellent survey of political philosophies from the last days of the ancien regime to the 1970s.
This survey is treated in a very organized way by the editor, Michael Curtis.Each section of the book has a certain theme.Each section begins with a preface and overview of the thinkers whose selections will follow.Curtis, like an excellent professor, exposits the views of the thinkers fairly.
Let me give an example of one of the sections of the book, which illustrates the strenghts and possible even minor weaknesses of this book.
Section XIII is entitled "Theological Thought and Politics."I found this chapter very interesting, for although I consider myself very informed in matters concerning politics, I had previously given little thought to the inter-connection of theology and politics.As the book shows, other disciples have influenced political thinkers--history and economics readily come to mind--and so has theology.
In the preface/overview of this section, Mr. Curtis gives a synopsis of two examples of theological thinking on politics, one Catholic, the other Protestant.What follows, then, are selections that represent Catholic social thought: selections from Papal Encyclicals, and from the Thomist Jacques Maritain; and, for Protestant social thought, selections from the writings of Reinhold Niebuhr.
These selections are chosen--as are all the others in the book--because they represent a major argument of the thinker into consideration which also distinguishes himself from other thinkers.For example, in the selections of the Catholic thinkers, a theme that is stressed is the uniqueness of man among physicial creation--that man has a soul, a spiritual nature, and because of that, is a person, and thus has dignity.
This metaphysical account of the nature of man has consequences in the social realm.While these selections have an optimistic tone, especially from Maritain, this is contrasted with the Protestant social thought of Reinhold Niebuhr.Reading Niebuhr, I thought of the notions of Original Sin, the Fall of Man, and man's tendency to sin.The belief that man is fundamentally good is an error.This belief in the essential goodness in man can lead to political misjudgments.This work by Niebuhr was written in during World War II, and I thought how Niebuhr was vindicated, when just a few years before, the Prime Minister of England had said, "There shall be peace in our time."
This section also points out the possible weaknesses of the book.Perhaps other selections of theological thought could have also been included, and I speak as a Catholic whose tradition is well represented in Mr. Curtis' book.For example, I recently came across some writings of the Russian Orthodox philosopher/mystic Berdayev.Berdayev wrote about the dehumanization of man in the modern world, and in his writing considered the general approach of Catholic and Protestant thinking.Berdayev would have made an excellent addition in this section.
Besides theology, other influences on political thought are shown, mainly from the social sciences, and from history.The dominant schools of thought, such as Marxism, Utilitariansism, Conservatism, are well represented, even sub-divisions of the major schools, such as the revolutionary Marxism of Lenin versus the gradual approach of Eduard Bernstein.
There is a great diversity of opinion presented here; I am a political junkie, so I would not mind even more selections.
The book closes with selections from the late political theorist John Rawls' "A Theory of Justice."The roughly 30 years since the publication of "A Theory of Justice," there have been contributions toward politcal theory.Some examples would be the works of Michael Walzer "Just and Unjust Wars," and "Spheres of Justice; Robert Nozick's "Anarchy, State, and Utopia;" writings in support of the environmental movement; and the impact of technology, especially newer technologies such as genetic engineering to the Internet, from various writers.What will the 21st Century hold?

Just Right!
I think that this book is prefaced well and in those terms serves the reader to the full extent promised.The book basically gives an over view of early political theory through excerpts from excellent selected texts. It is a fair cross-section of political treatises providing it fits intoone book that is for the novice. I would highly recommend this book toanyone. ... Read more

Book Description

The premier political science research methods text has been thoroughly updated to emphasize the role of new technologies’ in current research.The revisions enhance the comprehensive introduction to systematic political research that has made this book popular among both students and instructors for more than two decades.

Customer Reviews (6)

A solid methods book
I bought this book for a research methods class that I am taking for my Masters in Public Administration program.When the class started, the professor had us switch to another textbook, but I read this book because I had already paid for it and I knew that it would help me with the class. The material was easy to work with and was presented in a logical sequence.

A Tough Subject Clearly Explained
I'm a Junior at a large university, and this book is required for my Research Methods class.I've put off taking this class until now, since I'm not very math-oriented.This book explains research ideas in a very simple way, and each chapter has lots of examples from politics.My professor sometimes also has us read the sample articles that the chapters list.This is extra work, but seeing how real researchers use a method helps me understand it.By the way, there is math in the statistics section, but it's not really that bad.If you're not a natural whiz at research, this is the book for you.

Don't waste your gray matter!
This book talks down to the student. It is elementary to the extent of being obvious. The field has moved on and so should we. Get the King, Keohane and Verba book instead, which is written lucidly and actually isnpires thought.

A Solid and Accessible Textbook on Methodology
The book is clearly written, and I am using it this semester for an undergraduate class I teach. I am not a big fan of textbooks in general, as I rarely use them myself, and when I do, it is mostly for concrete and breif reference purposes. This book is very accessible. I especially liked the chapter on focus groups. The chapter on content analysis is also good, because it conveys very clearly the problems that one faces with this particular method, but at the same time the chapter is not mathematically deep. I find that most of my studnets find this book easy to use. As a book on statistics, it is not very powerful, and the presentation of even the basic methods could use better organization. But overall, this is still a useful text.

Not worth $85.00
I'm using this book for my undergrad political science class on research design and statistical analysis.I have previously used Johnson and Joslyn's book, which is much less expensive than Manheim and Rich.If Ihad known that the bookstore would charge the students so much, I would nothave assigned it.The authors do a good job with research design, but thestatistical section is poorly organized, and has at least one formulaincorrect.If you are looking for a good book on empirical politicalanalysis, you could probably find a better research design book and abetter statistics book for about the same price. ... Read more

Book Description
Many students major in the Humanities or Social Sciences because they love their chosen academic fields, however few schools provide solid advice about how students can apply their studies to a career.This unique and informative guide directs History and Political Science majors to career paths that will make the most of their educational backgrounds. It includes chapters on further academic study, fellowship opportunities, and understanding career options, as well as practical and detailed job search tips and strategies.

What to Do with Your History or Political Science Degree includes:
·Practical advice on identifying career goals
·Profiles of popular career paths
·Interview and networking tips
·Special Q&A section with former majors who are now successfully pursuing careers they love
·Appendices that provide listings of relevant internship and fellowship opportunities ... Read more

Book Description

GREAT JOBS SERIES ANSWERS THE QUESTION, "WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN . . . ?"

Every college major gives students valuable skills and training, perfect for a wide range of careers. The Great Jobs series helps students:

Customer Reviews (2)

Tell Me Something I Didn't Know
This book may be somethat interesting for polisci majors when they are first starting out, but once a person has their degree and their resume, it is not worth the time to read it.

Great if you are still an undergraduate!
This book is really insightful to those who are still earning theirundergrad degrees.It offers many tips on resume writing, networking, andassessing ones own skills.If I were a junior in college this would havebeen a great source of information and inspiration.However, for someonewho has been out of school for a short period of time, it doesn't offermuch in the way of career guidance.It does offer good tips on graduateschool and how to find the program that is right for you depending on whattype of job you are interested in after.It also lists all theprofessional associations for a political scientist. ... Read more

Book Description
A practical guide on how to make the most of a Political Science degree and prepares students for a career in the political field.Overview of major career sectors of interest to Political Science majors expands their knowledge and broadens their search for a rewarding career. Two career profiles per chapter offer students an opportunity to learn how individual people achieved success with their Political Science degrees. Students are given anticipated employment and salary statistics for various career fields as a valuable resource in their pre-graduation career planning by way of opportunity and salary.A valuable resource for Intro to Political Science courses that have a mix of “undeclared” students and Political Science majors in need of guidance on what they can do with a Political Science major. ... Read more

Book Description
The New Handbook of Political Science is an authoritative survey of developments in the discipline compiled by 42 of the most famous political scientists worldwide, analysing progress over the past twenty years and assessing this in the context of historical trends in the field.Discussion of each of the main subdisciplines:political institutionspolitical behaviourcomparative politicsinternational relationspolitical theorypublic policy and administration political economypolitical methodologybreaks down into four sections:an overview of the fieldanalysis from two key perspectives in the fieldOld and new: an eminent scholar in the field assesses the new developments in the light of older traditions in the disciplineInternational in its scope, systematic in its coverage, A New Handbook of Political Science will become the reference book for political scientists, and those tracking their work, into the next century. The New Handbook of Political Science is an authoritative survey of developments in the discipline compiled by 42 of the most famous political scientists worldwide, analysing progress over the past twenty years and assessing this in the context of historical trends in the field.`The New Handbook of Political Science is the most comprehensive and well-done effort to describe the state of political science extant.It contains much which will be required reading.I strongly recommend it'.Seymour Martin Lipset `The Handbook is a masterly and authoritative survey, comprehensive yet compact, by a stellar international cast of contributors...a most worthy successor to the old Greenstein-Polsby Handbook, published two decades ago'.Arend Lijphart `This is an extraordinarily useful mapping of what has happend in the discipline in the last twenty years, since the classic 1975 Handbook was published...Scholars are well advised to read this new, single-volume Handbook in its entirety. For this volume is not only a collection of brilliant contributions, but also a much needed cross-fertilizing endeavour'.Giovanni Sartori ... Read more

Book Description
In the twenty-first century, the production and use of scientific knowledge is more regulated, commercialized, and participatory than at any other time in history. The stakes in understanding these changes are high for scientist and nonscientist alike: they challenge traditional ideas of intellectual work and property and have the potential to remake legal and professional boundaries and transform the practice of research. A critical examination of the structures of power and inequality these changes hinge upon, this book explores the implications for human health, democratic society, and the environment. ... Read more

Book Description
Long established as the leading text in the field, the 7th edition has been comprehensively updated, revised and rewritten throughout. A new chapter has been added on Political Economy and the classification system used to compare states has been recast to distinguish liberal and illiberal democracies as well as contrasting these with authoritarian regimes. Lively, accessible, student-friendly and truly international in its coverage, the 7th edition includes a substantially enhanced range of case studies, debate boxes, charts and tables. ... Read more

Book Description
The Blackwell Dictionary of Political Science provides students and general readers with a clear and lively introduction to the terminology of political science. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Expensive and poor quality - not a good combination
Regardless of their orientation in politics, I think most people would agree that a dictionary should give objective definitions of ideas, not opinions of the author.This "dictionary" does not have an ounce of objectivity in it.The author frequently substitutes his opinion of an idea for the definition of it.

Also, given the price, I expected a bigger book.It's not very large, though admittedly it has had most of the terms I wanted to look up in it.

If I knew of a better dictionary for politics I would recommend it; since I don't, I simply recommend not wasting your money on this one.

Excellent book for students and political enthusiasts alike!
When I was studying at the University of Florida, I found this book to be invaluable to understanding the language of politics. Every political philosophy and ideology, major political theorists, political events, class distinctions, and history are covered in this book. It is extremely well organized and easily understandable.

A MUST HAVE FOR POLITICAL SCIENCE STUDENTS!

As for the review written by "a reader," who stated that "This 'dictionary' does not have an ounce of objectivity in it," I must say that this is not the case and I found it to be quite objective. Perhaps he/she could cite an example? ... Read more