UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS

College of Arts and Sciences

3rd Trimester, School Year 2019-2020

Dear 2nd Year Political Science Students

Welcome to the Course

PS 119 (Introduction to Political Analysis and Research) is a continuation of the course

PS 112 (Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Political Data) which you enrolled in the
last term. These courses are intended to prepare you with the basic knowledge and skill
in proposing and conducting full-blown research in Political Science which are required
in PS 122 (Research in Political 1) and PS 123 (Research in Political Science 2). To be
qualified as a political scientist, you should be able to conduct a scientific and in-depth
inquiry and understanding of a certain political phenomenon. With your commitment,
discipline, time management, and among other things, I earnestly hoped that you will
gain the necessary knowledge and skills such that you will be able to competently
conduct the required research with ease and confidence.

I am looking forward to successful remote and distance learning this 3 rd term.

Good Luck.

Mr. Ferdinand D. Lawan

Faculty-in-Charge

COURSE GUIDE FOR PS 119

Course Title: Introduction to Political Analysis and Research

Course Credits: 3 units
Contact Hours/week: 5 hours
Prerequisite: PS 101-PS 114

Course Description:
This course is an introduction to research methods that are commonly used in the social
sciences particularly those that are applicable in the field of Political Science. It
acquaints students with the basic concepts, principles, and assumptions of quantitative,
qualitative, and mixed research approaches in understanding socio-political phenomena.
The fitness of purpose in the context of political science of the different research
processes and designs or methodologies as well as the specific tools and techniques of
these different approaches will be given emphasis.

Course Outcomes: At the end of the trimester, the students are expected to:
1. Understand the underlying philosophies, theoretical principles, methods and
techniques applicable to research in social sciences
2. Understand the use of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research designs
in social science studies.
3. Learn how to formulate good research questions, select the most appropriate designs
and methods to carry out a systematic study of political phenomena.
4. Draw up an appropriate research strategy for their research project.
5. Develop skills on how to gather and analyze data on political science phenomena
6. Identify the practical/ethical issues involved in conducting research

Course Outline and Timeframe

Week Target Date Topic and Examinations

1-2 15-27 June 1. Definition and Characteristics of Research
2020 ➢ Definition of Research
➢ Importance/Relevance of Research
➢ Purposes of Research
➢ Characteristics and Qualities of a Good
Research
➢ Characteristics/Qualities of a Good Researcher
2. The Philosophical-Scientific Foundations of
Different Research Methodologies
➢ Philosophical Foundation of Social Science
Research
➢ Characteristics of Scientific Method
3. Types of Research
➢ Types and Categories of Research
4. The Research Process
➢ Process of Conducting Research
➢ Outline for the Research Process
➢ Major Phases in Conducting Research

3 29-30 June -1- 5. Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches

4 July 2020 ➢ Definitions of Qualitative and Quantitative
Research
➢ Distinction between Quantitative and
Qualitative Approaches vis-a-vis the Research
Process
➢ Distinction between Quantitative and
Qualitative Approaches vis-à-vis Selected
Features
➢ Commonly Used Quantitative Designs
➢ Commonly Used Qualitative Designs
➢ Combined Designs
➢ Choosing whether to Use the Quantitative or
Qualitative Approach
4 6-10 July 2020 6. Identifying the Research Problem
➢ Research Problem
➢ Sources of Problems
➢ Research Agenda in Politics
➢ Sharpening Skills for Discovering and
Identifying a Problem
 ➢ Elements of a Research Problem
➢ Identifying the Unit of Analysis
➢ Identifying the Focus of Analysis
➢ Differences between Topic, Problem, Purpose,
and Questions
➢ Distinction of the Research Problem for
Quantitative and Qualitative Research
➢ Criteria in Selecting Research Problem
➢ Component of The Statement of The Problem
to Be Discussed in The Introduction or
Background of The Study
5 13-14 July 7. Reviewing the Literature
2020 ➢ Definition of Literature Reviews
➢ Types and Purposes of Literature Reviews
➢ Sources, Structures and Writing the Literature
Reviews
5 15-18 July Midterm Exam
2020
6 20-25 July 8. The Role Theory in Research
2020 ➢ Definition and Types of Theories
➢ Role Theory in Research
➢ Theoretical and Conceptual Framework in
Research
➢ Concepts and Conceptual Frameworks in
Research
7 27-31 July- 1 9. Variables and Hypothesis
August 2020 ➢ Types of Variable
➢ Characteristic of Good Hypothesis
10. Sampling
➢ Population and Samples
➢ Sampling Methods
8 3-8 August 11. Measurements
2020 ➢ Operationalization and Measurements
➢ Principles, Methods, and Types of
Measurements
12. Data Collection
9 1-15 August 13. Surveys and Interviews
2020 ➢ Validity and Reliability
➢ Survey Research and their Importance
➢ Methods and Procedures
14. Document Analysis
➢ Procedures of Content Analysis.
➢ Different Types of Written Records.
➢ Advantages and Disadvantages of The Written
Record
15. Making Empirical Observations
➢ Different types of data and collection
techniques.
➢ Role of direct and indirect observation as a
data collection technique.
 10 17-19 August 16. Research Ethics
2020 ➢ Principles of Research Ethics
11 20, 25, 26 Final Examination
August 2020

Mode of Delivery/Methods of instruction

➢ Remote/Distance learning
➢ Synchronous and Asynchronous
These may include, but are not limited to:
Class lectures/discussions/demonstrations
Videos/films/slides/audio tapes
Pair and small group activities/discussion
Class exercises
Reports and papers
Handouts
Cooperative/collaborative learning tasks
Individual conferences
Course Requirements /Methods of Evaluation
➢ You will be evaluated for mastery of learning objectives by methods of evaluation,
which may include, but are not limited to:
Oral reports/presentations/performance
Written reports/presentations
Quizzes
Written assignments
Group and individual projects
Participation in the forums
Midterm and Final examinations

(note: as to the nitty-gritty (the what, how, when and where to do) of Mode of
Delivery/Methods of Instruction and Course Requirements /Methods of Evaluation as
stated above, there will be orientations regarding the use of Canvas as the platform for
our remote/distance learning sooner. You might want to familiarize yourself with Canvas
you can visit it just to have an idea if you have not seen it yet. The official one will be
secured by UC so we will just wait for it)

Grading System
Midterms
Midterm Grade: 50% class standing + 50% midterm examination
Finals
Raw Final Grade: 50% class standing + 50% final examination
Final Grade: 5O% Raw Midterm Grade + 50% Raw Final Grade

Note: CS is composed of the above-mentioned activities in the methods of evaluation.

Course Materials
Materials which include modules, assignment and study guides, and other resources will be
uploaded in the online platform as the course progresses. The required and recommended
resource materials for each module are indicated in the study guides. Learning resources for the
course are available on the internet and may be accessed by clicking the links provided or may
search other similar sources. There is a wide array of resources available on the internet,
hence, you do not limit your readings to the materials indicated therein.

References

Online Sources:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319207471_HANDBOOK_OF_RESEARCH_METHODOLOGY/lin
k/5c3c2a5792851c22a373630a/download

https://www.pdfdrive.com/social-research-methods-qualitative-and-quantitative-approaches-
d19744746.html

https://www.pdfdrive.com/research-design-quantitative-qualitative-mixed-methods-arts-based-and-
community-based-participatory-research-approaches-d187661181.html

https://www.pdfdrive.com/research-methods-for-everyday-life-blending-qualitative-and-quantitative-
approaches-research-methods-for-the-social-sciences-d161070302.html

https://www.pdfdrive.com/research-methods-for-everyday-life-blending-qualitative-and-quantitative-
approaches-research-methods-for-the-social-sciences-d161070302.html

(note: other specific resources will be provided as the course progresses)