24-1 final week big ideas and questions
Summary
TLDRThe lecturer emphasizes that political science is often misunderstood as merely an extension of cable news discussions. Instead, it is a scientific approach to understanding and explaining the world, which forms the basis for addressing 'what should be' questions. The semester's focus has been on the challenges of applying the scientific method to the social world, which lacks the controlled conditions of a lab. Key issues include the difficulty of measurement, the need for careful sampling when making inferences, and establishing control over variables when investigating causal relationships. The lecturer suggests that students use these three areas of concern as a framework for critically evaluating any research they encounter. They encourage the development of a structured approach to analyzing research, which can be applied to future studies in political science and beyond. The lecturer concludes by offering support and advice for students' academic journey and future endeavors.
Takeaways
- π§ The study of political science is often misunderstood as merely an extension of cable news discussions, but it is a scientific approach to understanding politics and the world.
- π The primary focus of political science is to explain and understand phenomena, which can then be used to address normative questions about how the world should be.
- 𧬠A scientific approach in political science involves rigorous methods and critical thinking, which are crucial for gaining knowledge in a field that lacks a controlled laboratory environment.
- π Measuring social phenomena is challenging because the social world is not a lab, making it difficult to quantify the variables of interest.
- π Inferences in political science often extend beyond the specific case studied, necessitating careful consideration of sampling methods and potential biases.
- βοΈ Establishing causality is central to many political science inquiries, which requires controlling for other factors that could influence the outcome.
- π Students are encouraged to critique research by examining its methodology, measurement, sampling strategy, and causal claims to ensure a thorough analytical assessment.
- π The course aims to provide a framework for students to develop a systematic approach to evaluating any research they encounter, not just in political science.
- πΌ Students are advised to use the course material as a template for note-taking and research critique, which can be applied to various academic and professional contexts.
- π« The class is designed to provide a solid foundation in political science, preparing students for future coursework and research in the field.
- π The course introduces students to current topics and research in political science, preparing them for what they might encounter in subsequent semesters.
- π€ The instructor offers support and advice to students, encouraging them to reach out for help with academic or administrative matters, and to stay in touch post-graduation.
Q & A
What is the common misconception about political science?
-The common misconception is that political science is just an extension of cable news discussions, where people talk about their opinions on what the world should be and make controversial claims about various topics.
What is the primary focus of political science?
-The primary focus of political science is to explain and understand the world, which can then be used as a basis for discussing what should be, if the interest lies in that direction.
Why is the scientific approach emphasized in political science?
-The scientific approach is emphasized in political science to ensure a rigorous and systematic method of gaining knowledge about political phenomena, which involves careful consideration of how we measure and infer from our studies.
What challenges does the social world present to the scientific method?
-The social world presents challenges to the scientific method because it is not a controlled lab environment, making it difficult to measure the phenomena of interest, infer beyond specific cases, and establish control over other variables that could affect the outcomes.
How can the concerns discussed in the class be used to critique research?
-The concerns can be used as a basis for critiquing research by examining the research's objectives, measurement methods, sampling strategy, and how causal claims are controlled for other potential explanations.
What are the three buckets of concerns that can guide the critique of research?
-The three buckets of concerns are: 1) What the research is trying to achieve, 2) How the concepts are being measured, and 3) The sampling strategy and control for causal relationships in making inferences and causal claims.
How can the course framework be used for note-taking?
-The course framework can be used for note-taking by creating a template that addresses the research objectives, measurement methods, and sampling strategies. This helps in systematically analyzing and understanding any piece of research.
What is the intended outcome of using the course framework?
-The intended outcome is to develop a solid foundation that enables students to make analytical assessments of research, discuss and interact with research in a smart and sophisticated way, and to provide a basis for understanding and critiquing research in political science and beyond.
Why is it recommended to take this course in the early terms of study?
-It is recommended to take this course early to provide a strong foundation in understanding and critiquing research methods, which can be beneficial for future studies and encounters with research in political science.
What advice does the speaker give for students moving forward?
-The speaker advises students to use the course framework to develop a critical understanding of research, stay in touch after finishing the program, and not hesitate to reach out for advice or assistance in the future.
What does the speaker suggest for students enjoying their summer?
-The speaker suggests that students should enjoy their summer, whether they are taking classes or not, and to keep in touch, offering help if needed.
How does the speaker encourage students to engage with research?
-The speaker encourages students to engage with research by starting every encounter with a piece of research by understanding its objectives, critically evaluating its methods, and considering its broader implications.
Outlines
π Understanding Political Science: Beyond Cable News
The first paragraph introduces the misconception that political science is merely an extension of cable news discussions. The speaker clarifies that political science is a scientific approach to understanding politics, which involves explaining and comprehending the world. The focus is on the scientific method and its challenges, such as the difficulty of measuring social phenomena, making inferences beyond specific cases, and establishing causal relationships. The paragraph concludes with advice on how to critique research by considering these challenges, suggesting the development of a framework for analytical assessment.
π Closing Remarks and Future Engagement
The second paragraph serves as closing remarks, encouraging students to reach out for advice or assistance, whether for class selection or administrative issues. The speaker expresses a willingness to help and stay connected with students, regardless of whether they are just starting or about to finish their program. The paragraph ends with well wishes for the summer and an open invitation to keep in touch, emphasizing the importance of maintaining relationships with alumni.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Political Science
π‘Scientific Approach
π‘Measurement
π‘Inference
π‘Sampling
π‘Causal Relationships
π‘Control
π‘Research Critique
π‘Framework
π‘Notes Template
π‘Solid Foundation
Highlights
The study of political science is often misunderstood as an extension of cable news discussions, but it focuses on explaining and understanding the world.
Political science emphasizes a scientific approach to the study of politics, which involves a rigorous method to gain knowledge.
The social world is not a lab, making it challenging to measure and infer beyond the specific subjects of study.
The semester focused on unpacking why the scientific method is challenging in the context of social sciences.
Measuring the things of interest in political science is difficult due to the nature of the social world.
Inferences in political science require careful consideration of sampling strategies and the broader population.
Causal relationships in research necessitate control over other potential causal factors.
The course aims to provide a framework for critiquing any research piece in political science or beyond.
Students are encouraged to use the course material to develop an analytical approach to research consumption.
The course material can serve as a notes template for critiquing research, focusing on measurement, sampling strategy, and causal claims.
The class is intended to provide a solid foundation for further study in political science.
The course is recommended for students in their first couple of terms to introduce them to the field of political science.
The instructor offers support and advice for students' future endeavors in political science.
Staying in touch with alumni is encouraged to track their progress after finishing the program.
The instructor wishes students a good summer and offers help for any issues that may arise.
Students are encouraged not to be strangers and to reach out for support or advice.
Transcripts
I opened this semester by saying the
study of political science is probably
not what you think it is there's this
popular misconception that I encounter a
bunch when I tell people what I do that
what we're doing in political science is
just some extension of what people see
on cable news folks sitting around
talking about what they want the world
to be sitting making controversial
claims about whatever the subject or the
hot topic of the day is and certainly
there's some of that but political
sciences a little different our idea or
our focus is to try and explain and
understand the world and use that then
as a springboard if we're interested in
doing so to get to the what should be
questions but that focal point on
explaining and
understanding requires that we think
hard about how we gain knowledge and
that takes us into what makes political
science political science in my mind and
that is an emphasis on a scientific
approach to the study of politics so
we've spent the semester talking a
little bit about what that means and
then said hey if the scientific method
is our North
Star let's talk about about what makes
it so challenging why it's so hard to
get there and we started with this idea
that the social world's not a lab so any
kind of social science is always going
to be hard and then the rest of the
semester was about unpacking that
statement what do we mean when we say
the social world's not a lab well we
mean that it's very hard to measure the
things that we're interested in we mean
that very often we're interested in
making inferences beyond the specific
thing that we are studying and when we
do that it requires us think very
carefully about the way we are
sampling and then a lot of times we're
interested in causal relationships and
to the extent we want to make a causal
claim we have to think about how we are
or how we aren't establishing control
over other things that could be causally
affecting the thing that we're
interested in so we turn from these big
questions into the kind of so what that
we want to leave ourselves with here at
the end of the semester
well the so what is that I think you
could take those three buckets of
concerns that we have and use them as a
basis for critiquing any kind of piece
of research that you come across whether
it's in political science and and
specifically your courses going forward
or anything beyond that to the extent
that you're starting off and saying okay
what are they trying to do here in this
piece of research and and then saying
okay well they're talking about this
concept how are they measuring that and
all of a sudden all the things that
we've talked about measurement error all
those specific points we made come
should come to the Forefront of your
mind okay they're making an inference
they're using what they know about this
thing and they're making a broader claim
well let's think about that thing as a
sample of a population that they're
interested in what do we think about
that do we have problems with the
inference is based on how they've
sampled or have they not even
consciously sampled even though that's
in fact what they're doing are they
making a causal claim how have they
controlled for other explanations so
starting every encounter with a piece of
research by saying what are they trying
to do here and then thinking through
those three buckets of topics I think
winds up putting you on really firm
ground to make a really analytical
assess ment of anything that you're
consuming it's going to give you a firm
basis for being able to discuss and
think about and interact with that piece
of research in a really smart and
sophisticated way so I encourage you to
use this course to develop a framework
some people I know have even taken to
taking these buckets of questions and
just making like a sheet to the extent
that you want to take notes on any piece
of research for any class class using
this as your notes template or at the
very least using it pieces of it for a
notes template what are they doing in
the article or the book and then are
they you know depending upon what the
answer to that question is are they
measuring what do their measurements
look like what are their sampling
strategy look like these questions I
think could really be useful in helping
you frame research so I hope that the
class has done this has given you this
solid foundation that you can use to
move forward that's certainly what the
int of the class is and why we recommend
people take it in one of their first
couple of terms um and and beyond that I
hope that to the extent that this is one
of your first couple of terms it's given
you a little bit of an introduction to
the field of political science some
pieces of research some current topics
that you're likely going to encounter in
future semesters so as you move forward
if anything comes up if I can be helpful
at all to you please don't hesitate to
reach out to me whether it's just uh for
advice on classes to take uh or if
there's an issue that needs to involve
me as the chair in any way shape or form
please don't hesitate to reach out to me
I'm always here for you if this is one
of your last semester's congratulations
in advance on finishing the program
please stay in touch we always like to
hear where our alums go after they
finish um and um happy to be helpful in
any way that I can so I wish you all a
good summer if you're taking classes uh
good luck with those if you're just
enjoying your summer please do enjoy it
and like I said please don't be a
stranger and feel free to get in touch
good luck with everything take care
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)