Please answer the following questions
Sampling:
fundamental concepts (e.g., differences between population and sample; sampling frame, target population, etc.)
What are the benefits and limitations of using a sample vs. population?
Types of samples
Random or probability samples (simple random, systematic, stratified, cluster)
Nonrandom or nonprobability samples (purposive, convenience, quota, snowball)
Under what circumstance is each type of sampling appropriate?
What are the strengths and limitations of the different types of sampling?
Survey research, Interview, and Focus Groups:
Survey research and survey methodology
Difference between surveys and personal interviews or focus groups
Life cycle of a survey from a process and design perspective
Response and nonresponse rate; potential sources of survey response errors and how to address them
Types of surveys
E.g., face to face, mail, email, Internet, telephone, group administration
Strengths and limitations of the types of surveys
Survey instrument (questionnaire) design
Types of questions (e.g., closed-ended and open-ended), advantages and disadvantages of each
Question wording (issues of objectivity and clarity), question order, response quality, and archived surveys
Interviews and focus groups
Qualitative Data Management and Methods
Ways to ensure validity and reliability in qualitative research
Strengths and limitations of qualitative data collection techniques
Descriiptive Statistics & Statistical Inference
Frequencies
Interpret frequencies and contingency tables
Measures of central tendency & Dispersion
Interpret mean, median, and mode for variables at the appropriate levels of measurements
Interpret range, interquartile range, and standard deviation for variables at the appropriate levels of measurements
Hypothesis or significance tests
Distinction between null and alternative hypotheses
One-sided and two-sided hypotheses testing
Implications of errors in statistical inference (Type 1 & Type 2 errors)
Interpret level of significance and p-values
Measures of Association for Categorical (Nominal & Ordinal) Variables
Interpret contingency tables (cross-tabulation)
Interpret the Chi-square test of independence
Correlation and Regression Analysis for Quantitative (Interval-Ratio) Variables
Interpret correlation output (strength, significance, and direction of the relationship)
Interpret the following components of bivariate regression analysis output
Global F-test significance for model fit
R-squared (coefficient of determination) – what is it, and what does it indicate?
Determine whether regression coefficients are statistically significant – i.e., understand how to interpret the p-values
Interpret the intercept (constant) and coefficient of the independent variable(s) –
i.e., how does a one-unit change in the IV affect the DV?
Draw conclusions about whether to reject or fail to reject the null hypothesis and policy implications
Strengths and limitations of bivariate and multiple regression analysis
Research Ethics (Review the short PowerPoint & Recording in Week 8)
Understand the principles of ethical research (Belmont Report)
Understand the roles and functions of the Institutional Review Board
Apply the principles of ethical research to assess existing studies
Study guide attached and please use the attachments and following textbooks for a reference and also this link
Powner, C. L. (2015). Empirical Research and Writing: A Political Science Student’s Practical Guide.
Sage. ISBN: 978-1-4833-6963-1.
Howard, C. (2017). Thinking Like a Political Scientist. University of Chicago Press. ISBN: 978-
022632754-9.
