Foundations in Pol Research

Question 1

Politics

Answer 1

The political system … is that system of interactions in any society through which binding or authoritative allocations are made and implemented. (Easton)

Question 2

Political science

Answer 2

Political science is the study of governments, public
policies and political processes, systems, and
political behavior. (American Political Science
Association)

Question 3

What makes a political science a science?

Answer 3

1) The goal is inference
2) The procedures are public (replication)
3) The conclusions are uncertain
4) The content is the method

Question 4

Inference

Answer 4

Drawing conclusions about what you do not know on the basis of what you do know

For example: You study and interact with 20 voters, to understand the voters in Ireland

Question 5

Replication

Answer 5

Repeating a research study to test and either confirm or question the findings of an earlier study.