PLS 201: Research Methods

PLS 201: Research Methods Mr. Aaron KingMs. Sue CodyTopics for the SessionsSelecting the right information sourcesSelecting the right finding aidsAccessing resourcesDoing a better searchCiting SourcesSpecialized Sources in Political ScienceYour Current Research Skills?How would you rate your current research skills?StrongSatisfactoryNeeds improvementPoor

What causes you the most anxiety/confusion/frustration?

Where to get helpLearning Commons Help DeskIn personTelephoneEmailChatTextBy AppointmentContact me directly: codys@uncw.edu What are your favorite finding aids (search engines) for:Background information?News/Opinion sources?Scholarly Analysis/Theory?Primary Sources?Data?

My favorites (for PLS)Background informationCQ Electronic Library CQ Political Reference SuiteWorld FactBookLibrary CatalogWorldCatNews/Opinion sourcesLexis Nexis Academic (now ProQuest)Points of View Reference Center

My favorites (for PLS)Scholarly Analysis/TheoryAcademic Search CompleteJstorPublic Affairs Information ServiceWorldwide Political Science AbstractsGoogle ScholarCIAO (International Affairs)Library Catalog WorldCatMy favorites (for PLS)Primary SourcesHein OnlineLexis-Nexis CongressionalLibrary CatalogWorldCatFDsysDataICPSRStatistical Abstract of the United StatesPolling the Nations

Selecting the right finding aidsDatabase ScopeBibliographic or Data?Publication Types and NumbersSubjects Time period (publication or subject)Search Engine / StructureAbstract or Full-text searchSpecial Limit features

Finding ArticlesHome page Article Search (Integrated search)10 databases (out of ~150)

Databases A-Z Individual databasesDetails page

Databases by SubjectQuick Search (Integrated search)Individual databases (Best, More, All)

Citation Searching (Bibliographies)Lets try a searchDatabase: Academic Search CompleteResearch topic: How does party politics cause polarization in the U.S. Congress? Key concepts?Synonyms?Doing a better searchAND narrowsPolarization AND Congress

OR adds synonyms/related (OR is More)Political OR Parties OR Party

Doing a better searchTruncation Typically use *Polari* = polarization, polarity, polarizingSometimes not a good idea Part* = part, party, parties, participationParty OR parties is betterPhrase SearchingPolitical Parties = Political AND PartiesPolitical Parties = Political [next to] Parties Putting it togetherPolitic* OR Parties OR Party AND Congress*AND polari* OR partisan*

One line strategy:(Politic* OR Parties OR Party) AND Congress* AND (polari* OR partisan*)

Availability of ResourcesPDF Full Text, Linked Full Text, HTML Full TextGet it from UNCWHave a Citation? Looking for a JournalLibrary Catalog and WorldCatInterlibrary LoanSaving/Sending Ebsco:Add to Folder dont forget to save/send resultsPDFs sent as email attachments.ProQuest:Check box to mark for Emailing/Printing/SavingJstor:Email CitationSave PDF (Flashdrive, Timmy, your computer)

Finding BooksLibrary Catalog local & UNCP/FSUWorldCat9,000 libraries / @1.2 billion itemsGoogle Books (@ 12 million / @ 7 million full-text)Project Gutenberg (@ 33,000 books)Some databases lead to booksCited directlyBook reviewsStyle Manual for Political ScienceAmerican Political Science AssociationAvailable online: http://www.ipsonet.org/data/files/APSAStyleManual2006.pdf Different elements for different publication types

Assignments Due on WednesdayAnswer questions 1-6Complete Research Strategy WorksheetTopic of your choiceConstruct strategyUse search strategy in the Library Catalog Identify 2 relevant book or government document sourcesIdentify 3 databases that provide relevant sourcesUse search strategy in the relevant databasesIdentify and Cite 2 relevant articles Use APSA Style for citations.

PLS 201: Research Methods Mr. Aaron KingMs. Sue CodyMondays AssignmentWhat was confusing?

What did you find most useful?

What questions do you have?Do we have?Beckmann, M. N., & McGann, A. J. 2008. Navigating the Legislative Divide: Polarization, Presidents, and Policymaking in the United States. Journal of Theoretical Politics, 20: 201-220. Karol, David. 2010. Party Polarization in Congress. Perspectives on Politics, 8: 1242-1243.Perry, Glenn E. 2011. Taking Tea Parties Seriously: Corporate Globalization, Populism, and Resentment. Perspectives on Global Development and Technology 10:11-29.

Do we have?Theriault, Sean M. 2008. Party Polarization in Congress. New York : Cambridge University Press.

Forgette, Richard and Marvin King. 2009. Electoral Cycles in Racial Polarization and the 2006 Senate Elections. In Beyond the Boundaries: A New Structure of Ambition in African American Politics, ed. Georgia A. Persons. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 111-122.

Sinclair, Barbara. 2006. Party Wars : Polarization and the Politics of National Policy Making. Norman : University of Oklahoma Press. Specialized Resources for:StatisticsDataCongressional VotesCongressional DocumentsCountry Profiles/International RelationsPolling dataStatutesCourt OpinionsSee the Research GuideStatisticsStatistical Abstract of the United StatesDuring the 110th Congress, what was the political party composition of Congress?

DataICPSRFind the study on partisanship in the US House of Representatives by David W. Rohde.What data is the study based on?

Congressional VotesCQ Almanac OnlineHow did North Carolina Representatives vote on passage of HR 5297, a 2010 bill to provide funding to small businesses affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill?

Congressional DocumentsHearingsLexis Nexis CongressionalFind hearings on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.Debate on the FloorHeinOnlineHow many documents are retrieved on a search of channel dredging in the Debates of Congress for the year 2011?Country Profiles/International RelationsWorld FactBookWhat type of government does Egypt have?What does the source say about the current upheaval?CIAOWhat analysis does this database provide on Egypt in 2012?

Polling DataPolling the NationsWhat opinions can you find about natural gas drilling?How did the people of Ohio feel about it in January 2012?What else did Qunnipiac University ask in that poll?StatutesLexis Nexis AcademicUS Legal Search boxFederal Statutes, Codes and RegulationsHow many statutes mention apples?Supreme Court OpinionsLexis Nexis AcademicFind the opinion for the Citizens United case, decided by the US Supreme Court on January 21, 2010. Who delivered the opinion for the court? Evaluating ResourcesAuthorityScopeCurrent? Does it matter?Audience PurposeInform, Persuade, Entertain, etc.?AccuracyUsabilityEvaluating News Magazines