Explorations
Conducting Empirical Research in Canadian Political Science
by Keith Archer & Loleen Berdahl
Explorations is designed specifically to develop the tools that Canadian students need to pursue research in political science. The authors take students through every step of the research process, from conceptualizing research problems and determining the nature of the evidence required to
using statistical tests and reporting research findings. Throughout the book, "Apply Your Understanding" sections challenge students to put the skills they are learning into practice, while "Expand Your Knowledge" sections illustrate how empirical research methods can be used to enrich understanding
of the political world. Engaging and comprehensive, this is the only introduction to political research methods written within a Canadian context.
Dr Keith Archer is professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Calgary. He has written extensively on the subject of elections and voting behaviour for academics and the general public alike. Dr Archer is also an experienced textbook author, having worked on three
editions of Parameters of Power (Nelson), and co-edited Regionalism and Party Politics in Canada (OUP Canada 2002) with Lisa Young.
Dr Loleen Berdahl is associate professor in the Department of Political Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research focuses on Canadian politics and public policy. Dr Berdahl has published and presented several papers and articles in her research areas.
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"This is a very good text . . . clearly written, logically organized in the main, and quite comprehensive."
--Elizabeth Goodyear-Grant, Queen's University
"The authors have a nice, expressive style that combines clear language with good examples that students in Canada will be able to relate to. Furthermore, the number of methods that are presented is good, and the chapters on quantitative analysis are thoroughly explained."
--Laura Stephenson, University of Western Ontario
