This document outlines the key steps in the scientific research process, including developing a research question, conducting a literature review, constructing a theory or hypothesis, gathering and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. It also discusses the differences between deductive and inductive approaches to research. Some challenges with social science research are noted, such as measuring human behavior and accounting for multiple meanings. Guidelines are provided for writing a literature review, including relating one's own work to previous studies and identifying gaps to address.

1. POL / SOC 360-01
Spring 2015

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 Proposition toTest
 Formulate Research
Project
 If hypothesis rejected,
make changes to theory
 If hypothesis NOT rejected,
select next hypothesis
INDUCTIVE REASONING
 “Research BeforeTheory”
 Investigate Phenomena
 Measure Attributes
 Analyze Data, Discern
Patterns
 If Patterns Found,
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 or Social
 Observable
 Significant

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

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 research
designs?

25. THINGSTO DO
 Limit discussion to
relevant work
 Focus on relevant
concepts and ideas
 Show how literature
relates to current study
 Group Literature
(Theory, Method, Results)
 Use Quotes Sparingly
THINGSTO NOT DO
 Include every source you’ve
ever read on the topic
 Provide a detailed page-by-
page description of concepts
 Use literature in a haphazard
and unorganized manner
 Use the “Boxcar Method”
 Cite each source in succession.
 Article 1 says this, then Article 2
says this…