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Research and Writing Guide for Political Science | Kristen Williams
Research and Writing Guide for Political Science | Kristen Williams
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“How do we know why the Soviet Union decided to place missiles in Cuba? How do we know why North Korea invaded South Korea? We know the answers because political science scholars did in-depth research.”
Book Overview
How do we know why the U.S. decided to invade Iraq? We know the answers to these questions because political science scholars did in-depth research and shared their findings. Conducting, presenting, and publishing research are integral parts of being a political scientist. Students in political science courses are exposed to the research done by scholars, and professors assign research papers so students can demonstrate their knowledge of specific topics.
An indispensable resource, Research and Writing Guide for Political Science provides a brief primer on the basic skills required for writing an effective research paper. It covers conducting research (finding, evaluating, and using sources); the various parts of a research paper and how they should be organized; writing, rewriting, revising, and editing; and citing the research (footnotes, endnotes, bibliographies, reference lists, and academic citation styles including MLA, APA, and Chicago). A conclusion offers a helpful list of additional resources.
About the Author
Dr. Kristen E. Williams is a highly distinguished Professor of Political Science at Clark University. Her extensive background teaching international relations, foreign policy, and gender studies allows her to anticipate exactly where student arguments typically break down, enabling her to deliver an authoritative guide optimized for clearing up structural logic errors.
Core Audience & Intended Use
- Undergraduate Political Science Students: Students seeking a practical, step-by-step handbook to transition from vague interests to rigorous, executable research designs.
- Academic Researchers & Thesis Writers: Scholars looking for clean layouts on how to formulate testable hypotheses, select qualitative or quantitative methodologies, and evaluate primary and secondary sources.
- Instructors & Writing Mentors: Educators assigning structured writing tasks who need a reliable guide covering literature reviews, footnotes, and APSA/Chicago style formatting.
Product Specifications
| Full Title | Research and Writing Guide for Political Science |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Kristen E. Williams |
| Publisher & Imprint | Oxford University Press |
| Publication Date | December 21, 2012 |
| Binding Format | Trade Paperback (PB) |
| Print Length | 128 Pages |
| Language | English |
| ISBN-13 / ISBN-10 | 9780199890545 / 0199890541 |
| Primary Genre (BISAC) | POL000000 / POLITICAL SCIENCE / General |
| Sub-Genres (BISAC) | LAN005000 / Rhetoric; SOC024000 / Research; LAN022000 / Composition |
| Item Condition | Pre-Owned / Very Good |
| Dimensions & Weight | 4.40 x 0.30 x 7.30 inches | 4.0 oz (approx. 0.25 lbs) |
Frequently Asked Questions About Research and Writing Guide for Political Science
Is this book an abstract academic essay on political theory or a practical manual?
This volume functions as a highly practical, step-by-step technical handbook and writing manual. Rather than exploring dense ideological debates, it strips away the intimidation of academic publishing to provide a clean, accessible layout for students looking to construct rigorous, well-reasoned research designs.
What is the primary academic milestone and goal addressed by the author?
Kristen Williams solves the university student's ultimate friction point: turning a vague interest into an executable paper. The guide provides clear action plans detailing how to formulate a testable hypothesis, select appropriate qualitative or quantitative methodologies, and properly evaluate primary and secondary sources, acting as an essential framework for undergraduate theses.
Does the text outline specific formatting and citation requirements for the discipline?
Yes, meticulously so. The text exposes the exact style guidelines that political science professors demand. It provides comprehensive templates detailing how to construct literature reviews, format footnotes, and organize bibliographies using standard American Political Science Association (APSA) and Chicago Manual of Style standards.
What types of specific political science writing assignments are compared inside?
The manual provides a diverse overview of common undergraduate writing tasks. Rather than limiting instructions to massive research papers, the author provides punchy, separate chapters detailing the specific structural differences required for policy briefs, op-eds, book reviews, and analytical essay prompts, mapping out the distinct objectives of each format.
Who is the author, and what unique academic authority does she bring to this text?
The book is written by Dr. Kristen E. Williams, a highly distinguished Professor of Political Science at Clark University. Her extensive background teaching international relations, foreign policy, and gender studies allows her to anticipate exactly where student arguments typically break down, enabling her to deliver an authoritative guide optimized for clearing up structural logic errors.
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