1. Semester 2: Lecture 0 Course Overview Prepared by: Dr. Lloyd Waller ©

2. Mid-Semester – 25% Presentation – 5% Survey – 5% Proposal – 10% Presentation – 5% Final Paper – 50% Semester 1 Semester 2 GT24M: Research Methods in Political Science

3. Structure of the Research Report/Paper Introduction – Team (2.5%) Literature Review Team – (2.5%) Research Design – Team (5%) Data Analysis and Findings (10%) - Individual Discussion of Findings (25%) - Individual Conclusion (5%) – Team

4. Research Design General Hypothesis and Sub (Specific) - Hypothesis Several General Hypotheses as Specific Hypothesis Individual Conceptualization and Operationalization

5. Hypotheses (independent Variables) Gender Level of Education Social Class Faculty Department University Country Geographic Location Religion Political Ideology

6. Data Analysis and Findings/Discussion of Findings Data collection is a collective exercise Data entry is a collective exercise Data Analysis is an individual exercise Writing up the Data Analysis and Findings Section is an individual exercise Writing up the Discussion of findings is a individual exercise Collating the Report/Project and writing up the Conclusion and Recommendations is a group exercise Therefore if a group member does not submit his or her section of the paper it will not affect the entire paper – they will get a grade out of 15 for the Introduction, literature review, Research Design and the Conclusion and Recommendation section of the paper but will not get the 10% for the data analysis and findings section not the 25% for the discussion of findings section The Data Analysis and Findings section will vary in size. Long tables such as frequencies (more then 3 pages for one frequency) should be placed in the Appendices, tables which take three or less pages should be placed in the Data Analysis and Findings section and a brief description of the findings strategically position either above or under the table. The recommended page number for the Discussion of findings section is 10 pages minimum. The final date for submission is April 25, 2007 Research Should be submitted to the Examinations Section on or before 2 pm No Tutor is to proof read the report project before submission. Assistance will be given for hypothesis/es only outside of the lecture notes, readings and tutorials as well as office hours

7. Data Analysis and Findings/Discussion of Findings Students must put chapter titles for their section of the Data Analysis and Findings as well as the Discussion of Findings section of the report. A section cover must be used which should also include the ID number of the individual student. In addition to this the individual hypothesis which is being tested should also be placed on the cover

8. Example The effects of Geographic Location on Voting Behavior ID: 94-0434449 Hypothesis Persons who live in inner-city communities are likely to participate more in elections than those who live in sub-urban areas

9. Final Report Submit Data and the Syntax on CD Submit all completed Instrument with the names of who collected the data on it. Everyone needs to sign Peer Evaluation form –which says that everyone reviewed the paper and were in agreement for it to be submitted. –which says that everyone participated

10. Hypotheses (independent Variables) Online Discussion on OurVLE No emails to Lecturer, Teaching Assistants or Tutors directly, only through OurVLE These will be checked daily and we will attempt a 24hr response time

11. Other Notices Tutorials Begin the week of the 22 th –Remaining Presentations SPSS Training begins the following week Suggested time for Data Collection is next week if your questionnaires were not problematic If you are having problems with the questionnaires you can come and see me during my office hours which are Tuesdays 3-5 Additional questions (independent variables/demographic questions) will need to be added for additional hypothesis It is not a problem if you and your group members are not in the same tutorials We will be using the tutorials to show you the data analysis using the data collected for the class exercise. The actual data analysis of your own data will be done on your own time.

12. Other Notices Same rules apply –Regarding the Labs – Late Entry, Cell Phones, Absence, Use of Lab Equipment to do unsanctioned activities. –Regarding the lectures – Mobile Phone