Political Science Research Methods

Political Science Research Methods, 9th Edition, by Janet Buttolph Johnson and H. T. Reynolds, is a CQ Press textbook designed to guide readers through systematic empirical investigation. The text supports students and citizens as they establish research projects, guiding them through the steps of defining complex concepts, setting testable hypotheses, determining key variables, and selecting appropriate units of analysis.

The organizing logic connects initial conceptual work to logical structures for empirical testing. Within this framework, the book compares experimental, quasi-experimental, field experimental, and nonexperimental research designs. Readers examine how each design option manages observational conditions, controls for alternative explanations, and addresses specific research goals across political settings.

Reflecting developments in contemporary scholarly standards, this ninth edition expands its coverage of qualitative methods while emphasizing research ethics and incorporating international examples. The text prepares students and citizens to critically evaluate political assertions and construct well-grounded empirical projects.