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POLS 2130: Research Methods in Political Science - Dr. Roy - Spring 2025

Course guide for Dr. Roy's Research Methods in Political Science class.

Quick Overview: Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research Methods

Qualitative vs Quantitative Research Methods in Political Science

Differences Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
Characteristic Qualitative Methods Quantitative Methods
Focus Exploring meanings, experiences, and perspectives Measuring and analyzing numerical data
Data Type Non-numerical (text, images, audio) Numerical data
Sample Size Usually smaller Usually larger
Data Collection Interviews, focus groups, observations Surveys, experiments, existing datasets
Analysis Thematic analysis, content analysis Statistical analysis, hypothesis testing
Outcome Rich, detailed descriptions Generalizable findings, statistical relationships
Example in Political Science In-depth interviews with voters about their political beliefs Analysis of voting patterns using election data

**Want to learn more about the differences between qualitative and quantitative research? Check out this YouTube Short!**

Video: What is Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research?

While the speaker in the video is a marketing professor, the concepts pertaining to qualitative vs. quantitative research still apply.