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Resources for Learning Political Analysis
We feature resources to support teaching and learning political science research merthods with The Essentials of Political Analysis and the Companions to Political Analysis. Featured resources update weekly to track typical fall, spring, and summer teaching patterns.
THIS WEEK'S THEME: Research Design, Research Ethics, and Evidence of Causation
Overview: This week focuses on designing ethical research and establishing causation. Students will learn about experimental and observational designs and use software to simulate experimental setups and analyze causal relationships.
  • Watch streaming lectures for introduction to main ideas
  • Read Chapter 6 in The Essentials of Political Analysis, 7th Ed. (or Chapter 4 in Essentials, 6th Ed.)
  • Read Chapter 6 in Stata Companion, 5th Ed.; R Companion, 3rd Ed.; Excel Companion, 1st Ed.; or SPSS Companion, 7th Ed. (or N/A in SPSS Companion, 6th Ed.)
  • Review terms for 5 minutes
  • Practice with software, see tutorials for Stata | R | Excel | SPSS
  • Textbooks feature learning objectives, term glossaries, and chapter exercises.
  • Resources for instructors: presentations, demo. code, quiz questions, solutions manuals (available via Sage Publications)
NEXT WEEK'S THEME: Making Controlled Comparisons
Overview: Students will explore techniques for controlling rival explanations and interpreting controlled comparisons. They will practice using statistical software to create and analyze control tables, identifying patterns and relationships.
  • Watch streaming lectures for introduction to main ideas
  • Read Chapter 7 in The Essentials of Political Analysis, 7th Ed. (or Chapter 5 in Essentials, 6th Ed.)
  • Read Chapter 7 in Stata Companion, 5th Ed.; R Companion, 3rd Ed.; Excel Companion, 1st Ed.; or SPSS Companion, 7th Ed. (or Chapter 5 in SPSS Companion, 6th Ed.)
  • Review terms for 5 minutes
  • Practice with software, see tutorials for Stata | R | Excel | SPSS
  • Textbooks feature learning objectives, term glossaries, and chapter exercises.
  • Resources for instructors: presentations, demo. code, quiz questions, solutions manuals (available via Sage Publications)
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Teach Political Analysis
Theory & Concepts:
The Essentials of Political Analysis, 6th Edition. Classic introductory text, clear writing, helps students learn, great ancillaries. More info.
Companions for SPSS, Stata, Excel & R. Practice with software of your choice.
MORE FOR TEACHERS: Sample Course Syllabi featuring our textbooks, varied software, with/without paper assignments
Review Terms for 5 Minutes - Pick chapters or just press play for quick study
Run Live R Demos in Browser - Excellent for online teaching
Links to More Resources for Teaching Political Analysis
Watch & Learn
Watch & Learn
Watch & Learn
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Quantitative Survey Design With Qualtrics for MTurk
From Professor Kramer (35:20)data
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Random Digit Dialing Vs. Registration Based Sampling
A Marist Poll Academy case study (2:30)data
MORE VIDEOS: See Video Channels for more political science videos!
LEARN HOW: Watch Lecture Videos for Essentials of Political Analysis, Video Tutorials for R, Stata, SPSS, and Excel
More Q. Than A.
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Career Planning Advice for Students (in Simple Diagram)
As a college professor, I have had many opportunities to talk with students about their...

MORE QUESTIONS: Cases that Illustrate Felony-Murder Rule

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