Political Science Research Methods: Statistics in Service

by Brian R. Calfano

Political Science Research Statistics in Service  introduces research methodology and quantitative analysis for political and social science. Taking a broad and applied approach to the subject, the book covers social scientific inquiry and the basic statistical tools used to study politics. The book not only provides the quantitative foundations required in political science but also teaches the skills to become truly proficient applied researchers. Readers will be skilled collecters and analyzers of data, and be able draw links between political theory and the real world. The book counters the perception that quantitative methods are a form of mathematics to be dreaded, and instead presents methods with specific application for the study of political science.  Introduction—“Putting Statistics into Service for You” Chapter Two—“The Research Investigating Causality in Political Science” Chapter Three— Chapter Three—“Understanding the X à Y Qualitative and Quantitative Foundations” Chapter Four—“Basic Measures of Description, Central Tendency, and Statistical Inference” Chapter Five—“All about Regression” Chapter Six—“In the Real World—Statistical Sampling and Weights” Chapter Seven—“Beyond Observational Research—Causality through Experimental Design” Chapter Eight—“When OLS is Binary, Ordered, and Multinomial Logit” Chapter Nine—“ Poisson and Binomial Regression” Chapter Ten—“Categorical Difference and Hierarchical Linear Models” Chapter Eleven—“Dynamic Data—Time Series Analysis” Chapter Twelve—“Putting it Together  Chapter Thirteen—“Building a Researcher’s Resume”

400 pages, Paperback

Published December 26, 2017

About the author

Brian Calfano is an accomplished author, journalist, professor, and documentary filmmaker whose work centers on twentieth-century political and journalism issues. As an author, his publications reflect deep expertise and a unique perspective shaped by decades of experience in both the media industry and academia.

His multifaceted career also includes serving as the first scholar-in-residence for Latakoo, a company providing video management solutions to major news outlets such as NBC Universal, Nexstar, and Charter Spectrum. He also holds a courtesy appointment at the University of North Texas (UNT) in the Department of Political Science.

In journalism, Brian’s background spans television and radio. He anchored and hosted political programs for KSNT 27 News, covering Kansas politics in major cities such as Topeka, Wichita, and Kansas City. At Spectrum News 1 Ohio, he reported, produced, and developed political and social series, while also serving as a political analyst delivering live studio commentary on breaking news.