Research Design for Political Science

Course Number: 84-266

How do political scientists turn complex ideas into rigorous research? This course introduces the foundations of qualitative and quantitative inquiry while encouraging students to reflect on science as both a method and a social practice. Students will learn the structure of research design, analyze data–theory relationships, and examine how methodological choices shape the strength of causal claims. They will gain hands-on experience with interviews, case studies, process tracing, and counterfactuals, as well as with statistical models. Beyond technical skills, the course highlights the limits and uncertainties of scientific reasoning, showing how flawed designs or imperfect measures can nonetheless advance knowledge. By comparing qualitative and quantitative strategies in a group research project, students explore how different methods generate insights, when one design may be more convincing than another, and how political science contributes to debates about democracy and governance. By the end of the semester, students will be prepared to evaluate evidence critically, distinguish reliable from weak claims, and apply scientific reasoning in their personal, professional, and civic lives.

Semester(s): Fall
Units: 9
Location(s): Pittsburgh