The document outlines the process of conducting empirical research, including developing a research question, reviewing relevant literature, and determining appropriate methodologies. It discusses both deductive and inductive approaches. Deductive reasoning involves first developing a theory and hypotheses and then conducting research to test them, while inductive reasoning involves first collecting and analyzing data to discern patterns and then developing a theory. It also notes some philosophical and practical challenges in social science research.

1. GEOG 420 / POL 420 / SOC 420
Spring 2018

6.  1) Define the Question
 2) Gather Materials and Resources
 3) Develop / BuildTheory
 4) Form Hypotheses
 5) Conduct Experiment and Gather Data
 6) Analyze Data
 7) Draw Conclusions
 8) Publish Results for Peer Review
 9) Retest by Others

7.  1) Research Question
 2)Theory
 3) Hypotheses
 4) Analysis

9. DEDUCTIVE REASONING
 “Theory Before Research”
 ConstructTheory/Model
 Select Hypotheses
 Formulate Project
 DataGathering, etc.
 Find Support (or Not) for
Hypotheses through
Analysis
INDUCTIVE REASONING
 “Research BeforeTheory”
 Investigate Phenomena
 Measure Attributes
 Analyze Data, Discern Patterns
 ConstructTheory

11. PHILOSOPHICAL
OBJECTIONS
 Measuring Reasoning
 Construction of “Facts”
PRACTICAL
OBJECTIONS
 Subjects are Misleading
 Complexity of Behavior
 Multiple Meanings and/or
Value-Laden Concepts
 Gathering/Obtaining Data

13.  Initial step in an empirical research project
focuses on choosing a research question
 Limitations:
 Political, Social,
or Geographical
 Observable
 Significant

14.  Political scientists, sociologists , and
geograpahers investigate diverse phenomena
 Subjects for Research Questions:
 Individuals or Groups
 Institutions
 Political Jurisdictions
 Social Problems
 Geographic Locations

15.  In most cases research questions focus on a
presumed causal relationship
 Normative research questions?

16.  Interesting
 Important
 Short
 Direct
 Doable

17.  Research questions may originate from:
 1) Personal: Life Experience and Observation
 2) Scholarly: Academic Books / Articles
 3) Non-Scholarly: Media Accounts

19.  Electronic Databases
 Conference Papers
 Textbooks

23.  Literature Review is NOT a Book Review
 Scholarship is cumulative
 Importance of:
 Organizing
 Integrating
 Evaluating

24.  #1:What have others found on my topic?
 #2: How is my project related to others’ work?
 #3:What explains observed variations?
 #4: Do relationships exist between concepts?
 #5: How can concepts been defined/measured?
 #6: How can I identify researchable hypotheses?
 #7:What data sources have others used?
 #8: How can I develop alternative designs?

25. THINGSTO DO
 Relevant Work
 Relevant Concepts / Ideas
 Literature to Study
 What is the “gap?”
 Group Literature
(Theory, Method, Results)
 Use Quotes Sparingly
THINGSTO NOT DO
 Every. Single. Source
 Play-by-Play Description of
Concepts
 Unorganized Literature
 Use the “Boxcar Method”
 Article 1 says this, then Article 2
says this…