POL 302 — Logic and Methods of Political Science Research

About this course

POL 302 Logic and Methods of Political Science Research is a 300 Level course in the Political Science department, taught in the Second Semester. On La-Net Hub you can watch all 22 recorded lectures for free, grouped into 10 series, read the course lecture note online or download it as a PDF, and test yourself with practice questions.

This introductory series explores how Political Science applies the scientific method to investigate political phenomena, moving beyond opinion and assumption toward systematic, evidence-based inquiry. Students will examine the principles of scientific reasoning, the logic of political research, and how empirical methods are used to formulate questions, test hypotheses, and draw conclusions about political behaviour and institutions. It establishes the methodological foundation students need for rigorous political science research.

This series equips students with the practical tools and approaches researchers use to investigate politics systematically — from framing research questions to analysing findings. Students will learn how to design research, select appropriate methodologies, collect and interpret data, and present evidence-based conclusions. Whether using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods, this series builds the hands-on research competencies essential for academic work and professional practice in political science.

Lectures in this course

Series 1: Series 1: Political Science and the Scientific Method · Part 1

1. Political Science and the Scientific Method 1 14 minutes 41 seconds
2. Political Science and the Scientific Method 2 11 minutes 44 seconds

Series 2: Series 1: Political Science and the Scientific Method · Part 2

1. Political Science and the Scientific Method 1 13 minutes 34 seconds
2. Political Science and the Scientific Method 2 10 minutes 51 seconds

Series 3: Series 2: Research Methods in Political Science · Part 1

1. Mastering Political Science Research Methods 1 11 minutes 23 seconds
2. Mastering Political Science Research Methods 2 9 minutes 59 seconds
3. Mastering Political Science Research Methods 3 8 minutes 48 seconds

Series 4: Series 2: Research Methods in Political Science · Part 2

1. Mastering Political Science Research Methods 1 13 minutes 56 seconds
2. Mastering Political Science Research Methods 2 13 minutes 47 seconds

Series 5: Series 3: Logic of Political Inquiry and Variables

1. Logic, Inquiry, and Variables in Political Science 1 14 minutes 29 seconds
2. Logic, Inquiry, and Variables in Political Science 2 8 minutes 9 seconds

Series 6: Series 3: Logic, Inquiry, and Variables in Political Science

1. Logic, Inquiry, and Variables in Political Science 1 12 minutes 28 seconds
2. Logic, Inquiry, and Variables in Political Science 2 8 minutes 21 seconds

Series 7: Series 4: Problem Formulation in Political Research · Part 1

1. How to Define a Research Problem in Political Science 1 13 minutes 54 seconds
2. How to Define a Research Problem in Political Science 2 8 minutes 16 seconds

Series 8: Series 4: Problem Formulation in Political Research · Part 2

1. How to Define a Research Problem in Political Science1 12 minutes 47 seconds
2. How to Define a Research Problem in Political Science 2 7 minutes 40 seconds

Series 9: Series 5: Design, Data Collection, and Analysis · Part 1

1. Design, Data Collection, and Analysis 1 8 minutes 55 seconds
2. Design, Data Collection, and Analysis 2 8 minutes 58 seconds
3. Design, Data Collection, and Analysis 3 14 minutes 35 seconds

Series 10: Series 5: Design, Data Collection, and Analysis · Part 2

1. Design, Data Collection, and Analysis 1 14 minutes 53 seconds
2. Design, Data Collection, and Analysis 2 14 minutes 59 seconds

Lecture note

Read the full POL 302 lecture note online or download the PDF.

Open lecture note

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