POLS 6010: Research Design (graduate seminar, Utah State University)
Course Description
What do we mean by political “science”? It refers to the scientific inquiry of politics, and this course is an introduction to its method. We will discuss the components of a robust research design: how to formulate a compelling and interesting question, develop a strong and verifiable argument, and design procedures to collect and analyze empirical evidence to test your argument. This course also introduces some basic concepts and tools of quantitative analysis.
POLS 6010 is designed as the entry-level method seminar to equip graduate students with the skills to conduct your own research and evaluate the work of your peer social scientists. This seminar should also help you find the path to—and whether you need—more advanced method training. The foundational principles of social science methodology covered in this seminar are transferable to other disciplines and professions beyond academia.
Course Syllabi: Fall 2025, Fall 2023
What do we mean by political “science”? It refers to the scientific inquiry of politics, and this course is an introduction to its method. We will discuss the components of a robust research design: how to formulate a compelling and interesting question, develop a strong and verifiable argument, and design procedures to collect and analyze empirical evidence to test your argument. This course also introduces some basic concepts and tools of quantitative analysis.
POLS 6010 is designed as the entry-level method seminar to equip graduate students with the skills to conduct your own research and evaluate the work of your peer social scientists. This seminar should also help you find the path to—and whether you need—more advanced method training. The foundational principles of social science methodology covered in this seminar are transferable to other disciplines and professions beyond academia.
Course Syllabi: Fall 2025, Fall 2023