Description
Even though artificial intelligence and other technologies are increasingly prevalent, research and writing are still core skills for political science students. The updated Fifth Edition of Writing a Research Paper in Political Science both takes students step-by-step through what they need to do at each stage to write a successful paper and also makes the case for why students need these skills at all in the age of AI -- and how to use AI as a coach.
In addition to using updated examples of student topics that pull from both American government and international relations, this useful, class-tested guide also includes examples of actual student writing to show readers how someone "just like them" accomplished tasks while writing their papers. Practical summaries, calendars, exercises, and a series of handy checklists make this a must-have supplement for any writing-intensive political science course.Table of Contents
List of Features
Preface
About the Author
Chapter 1: Do You Really Have to Write A Research Paper Now That There’s Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
What is a Research Paper? A Definition and a Few Helpful Metaphors
Writing a Research Paper Now that AI is Ubiquitous
Using AI as a Coach, Not a Drug
What Research Paper Writing Entails
Notes
Chapter 2: Getting Started: Finding a Research Question
Characteristics of a Good Topic
Making a Topic a Question
Revising Your Question
Practical Summary
Exercises
Notes
Chapter 3: The Annotated Bibliography: Finding Scholarly Sources and Properly Summarizing and Classifying their Arguments
Finding Conceptual Sources that Answer Your Research Question
Writing Summaries without Plagiarizing and Using Quotes Improperly
Grouping Your Sources and Producing the AB
Practical Summary
Exercises
Notes
Chapter 4: The Literature Review: Explaining and Analyzing the Scholarly Debate
Understanding the Literature Review
Writing the Literature Review
Practical Summary
Exercises
Notes
Chapter 5: The Thesis, Model, and Hypothesis: Precisely Specifying Your Argument
Three Ways to Represent an Argument
Applying These Insights in the Thesis or M&H Sections
Practical Summary
Exercises
Notes
Chapter 6: Revising and Editing: The Research-Writing-Thinking Spiral
Revising and Editing: Your Chance to Curate Your Work
Making Yourself a Better Writer and Communicator
Practical Summary
Exercises
Notes
Chapter 7: The Research Design: Your Plan and Justifications
Planning for Your Research
Research Design for Hypothesis-Driven Research
The Research Design: Two Examples
Practical Summary
Exercises
Notes
Chapter 8: Evaluating the Argument: The Analysis and Assessment Section
Qualitative Analysis
Mixed (Qualitative and Quantitative) Analysis
Quantitative and Statistical Analysis
Practical Summary
Exercises
Notes
Chapter 9: Bringing the Paper Together in Essential Ways: The Conclusion, Introduction, Title, Abstract, and the Utility of a Presentation
Considering the Significance of and Limitations on Your Findings: The Conclusion
Writing a Good Introduction
A Last Element in Attracting Readers: Developing an Appealing Title
Almost Done: Writing an Abstract and Giving a Presentation
Are You Done? The Joy (and Continued Responsibilities) of Finalizing Your Draft
Practical Summary
Exercises
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
