Empirical Research and Writing

Leanne C. Powner holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Michigan, where she specialized in international relations, comparative politics, and research methods. She has taught at a diverse range of institutions, including the College of Wooster, OH, where she was the Juliana Wilson Thompson Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science, and American University′s School of International Service and the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, where she specialized in teaching research methods. Her prior publications include the third (with D. Scott Bennett) and fourth editions of Applying the Strategic Perspective: Problems and Models (CQ Press, 2006 & 2010), along with a number of articles and papers on pedagogy, teaching practices, classroom techniques, and assessment appearing in PS: Political Science and Politics, International Studies Perspectives, and the Journal of Political Science Education. Powner was Webmaster for the Active Learning in International Affairs Section of the International Studies Association for seven years.

• Part I: The PreliminariesChapter 1: From Research Topic to Research QuestionDoing Social ScienceResearch Questions and This Course’s Research ProjectFrom Research Topic to Research QuestionFinding and Refining a Research QuestionWriting Your PaperSummaryKey TermsChapter 2: From Research Question to Theory to HypothesisWhat Is a Theory?From Question to TheoryFrom Theory to HypothesisWriting Your Theory SectionSummaryKey TermsPart II: The PracticalitiesChapter 3: Doing Pre-ResearchThe Parts of an Empirical PaperHow to Think About Literature(s)How to Find Literature(s)How to Organize Literature(s)How to Write the Literature ReviewSummaryKey TermsChapter 4: Choosing a Design that Fits Your QuestionTypes of HypothesesWhat Type of Analysis Should I Conduct?Overview of TechniquesSummaryKey TermsChapter 5: Case Selection and Study Design for Qualitative ResearchQualitative Study DesignHypothesis-Testing Techniques and Case SelectionWriting Your Methodology SectionSummaryKey TermsChapter 6: Qualitative Data Collection and ManagementInformation, Data, and EvidenceMeasurementMaximizing Leverage Over Your HypothesesData Collection TechniquesSources and ResourcesData Management OptionsWriting About Data CollectionSummaryKey TermsChapter 7: Quantitative Data Collection and ManagementIdentifying Data Needs: What Cases?Identifying Data Needs: What Variables?Measurement: Matching Concepts to IndicatorsGetting Ready-to-Use DataCollecting and Managing Your Own DataSummaryKey TermsChapter 8: Preparing Quantitative Data for AnalysisTransferring Data into Your Stats ProgramDealing With Missing DataPreparing to Analyze Your DataOther Data ManipulationsThe Theory-Data Danger Zone: Endogeneity, Simultaneity, and Omitted Variable BiasSummaryKey TermsChapter 9: Writing up Your ResearchThe AbstractThe BookendsThe Results: Conventions of Reporting and Discussing Quantitative AnalysisDiscussing Qualitative Evidence and ClaimsSummaryKey TermsPart III: Post-paper ProcessesChapter 10: Practicing Peer ReviewWriting Without WhiningSelf-EditingPracticing Peer ReviewWriting Your Review of Peer ResearchSummaryKey TermsChapter 11: Posters, Presentations, and PublishingPresentationsPostersSlip ‘n’ SlidePost-paper PossibilitiesBrief Remarks on Graduate Study in Political Science and International RelationsSummary