The research paper is thus only one type of political science paper. It is, however, a type that has quite specific components and requirements. The Thesis Statement The most important and most challenging task for students writing a research paper is developing a thesis. A thesis is a non-trivial, contestable, specific claim about political phenomena that can be proven or defended through the analysis of View sample political science research paper on Communism. Browse other research paper examples for more inspiration. If you need a thorough research paper written according to all the academic standards, you can always turn to our experienced writers for help 15/1/ · Political Science Research Topics Political Science Research Topics on Comparative Politics. This study field focuses on empirical approach, including comparative methods. Practical examples may include domestic politics, institutions analysis, and diverse conflicts related to domestic or international issues
(PDF) Political Science Research Paper Sample | Anthony Bergs - blogger.com
The research paper is thus only one type of political science paper. It is, however, a type that has quite specific components and requirements. The Thesis Statement The most important and most challenging task for students writing a research paper is developing a thesis. A thesis is a non-trivial, contestable, specific claim about political phenomena that can be proven or defended through the analysis of primary source material.
Explorations of the unimportant e. Readers will recoil, in particular, from faux theses that merely state what the author has done e. The best theses make counterintuitive claims e, political science research paper example. There must be, at a minimum, alternative explanations for the phenomena you are exploring or different possible answers to the question you are posing. A good research paper directly engages these competing arguments by demonstrating that its explanation or answer is the most plausible.
Statements such as "religion is the chief cause of conflict in the world," "the International Criminal Court violates political sovereignty," and "the Russian people always want a czar to lead them" are neither specific nor delimited. An example of a specific, focused thesis would be "Religious divisions cause social conflict to increase in Northern Ireland when they are reinforced by other cleavages or divisions.
reinforcing cleavages—that the author must develop or support in order to address the influence of religion on conflict in a specific context. A literature review is, as noted below, a significant component of your research paper, but your objective is not merely to review what other scholars have said about your topic.
Your objective is to say political science research paper example novel about your topic. This will require you to step outside of the published literature to mine information that you acquire firsthand. Primary sources include but are not limited to public opinion surveys, demographic data e.
Census datagovernment documents, open-ended interviews conducted by the author, oral histories, archival materials e. The Literature Review A literature review should accomplish two goals:, political science research paper example.
As mentioned above, accomplishing 2 is integral to your effort to demonstrate or defend your thesis. You must first acquaint your reader with both the strengths and the weakness of competing arguments before you can demonstrate that your argument is superior. Your literature review should address the most important or influential works on your topic.
You will need to review books, monographs, and journal articles. Doing the last will require you to employ such research databases as JSTOR, ProQuest, and PAIS. The Data Analysis The form that your data analysis takes will be determined to a large degree by your choice of method or approach. If you are using statistical methods e. Students performing quantitative analysis will need to think carefully about how best to present their findings e.
Such students could profit from reviewing Edward Tufte's classic book The Visual Display of Quantitative Informationparticularly Tufte's discussions of "chartjunk. Students, for example, who decide to use the "case study approach" must devote some time to addressing the "small n problem. What makes your particular case or cases "crucial" or explanatory? It is not sufficient merely to claim that, for example, "there is a lot of information available on my case. Robert Michels, for example, decided to study the German Social Political science research paper example Party to test his theory that all organizations are subject to "the iron law of oligarchy" because he posited that if power was concentrated in a small number of hands in a political party that sported a democratic ethos, then such oligarchic rule would surely occur in less ostentatiously democratic organizations.
The Conclusion A good conclusion should explain to the reader how your analysis has demonstrated that your argument is more persuasive than competing arguments.
It should, in short, explain your contribution to the extant literature, political science research paper example.
Some pitfalls to sidestep when composing your conclusion are the following: Do not go beyond your data Even seasoned scholars can be guilty political science research paper example concluding their pieces with grand statements that are not supported by their data. You can underscore your contribution to the literature without claiming that you have, for example, refuted all that has been written on your topic hitherto or created a "new paradigm. Take care to identify the limitations of your findings or even some of the questionable parts of your analysis.
Doing this will, if not immunize your work against criticism, at least allow you to get a jump on addressing some of the critiques that will be leveled at your work, political science research paper example. Do not sprinkle your conclusion with "questions for future research" This is a complement of the above.
Bear in mind that you are a novice researcher. It is more than a bit presumptuous to claim that your piece can be the foundation upon which other scholars will build. Avoid boilerplate phrases such as "time will tell" or "no one can know for sure" Conclusions are notorious for vaporous phrases that leave readers wondering, "What does that mean? Short, tightly constructed and political science research paper example conclusions are preferable to voluble, flabby conclusions that do not advance your case.
For Further Reading Howard S. Becker with Pamela Richards, Writing for Social Scientists: How to Start and Finish Your Thesis, Book, or Article Chicago: University of Chicago Press, Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams, The Craft of Research Chicago: University of Chicago Press, Gregory M. Scott and Stephen M. Garrison, The Political Science Student Writers' Manual Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Ian Shapiro, Rogers M.
Smith, and Tarek Masoud eds. Tufte, Envisioning Information Cheshire, Conn. Tufte, political science research paper example, The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, second edition Cheshire, Conn.
Natalie Taylor Associate Professor and Chair, political science research paper example. Barbara McDonough Administrative Assistant. Scroll to Top. Political Science Department. Department Major. Department Minor. Department Courses. Department Honors.
Navigation Menu. The Literature Review A literature review should accomplish two goals: Introduce your reader to the range of scholarship on your topic, political science research paper example. This exercise can help you to provide your reader with some purchase on the complexity of your subject. Identify the most important competing arguments political science research paper example claims about your topic. Political Science Department Contact PHONE FAX MAIL Ladd Hall, Room Skidmore College North Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY political science research paper example HOURS a.
Contacts Natalie Taylor Associate Professor and Chair Barbara McDonough Administrative Assistant. Previous Next.
POLS 301: Political Science Methods - Research Methods with Dr. Artime, Politics \u0026 Government
, time: 14:22Top 50 Political Science Research Topics For
View sample political science research paper on Communism. Browse other research paper examples for more inspiration. If you need a thorough research paper written according to all the academic standards, you can always turn to our experienced writers for help Political Science Research Paper Sample. ff [TYPE THE COMPANY NAME] [Type the document title] [Type the document subtitle] owais Written by: blogger.com [Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document. Type the abstract of the document here 15/1/ · Political Science Research Topics Political Science Research Topics on Comparative Politics. This study field focuses on empirical approach, including comparative methods. Practical examples may include domestic politics, institutions analysis, and diverse conflicts related to domestic or international issues
No comments:
Post a Comment