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Writing a Research Paper in Political Science
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Writing a Research Paper in Political Science
A Practical Guide to Inquiry, Structure, and Methods

Fifth Edition


February 2026 | 280 pages | CQ Press

Even though artificial intelligence and other technologies are increasingly prevalent, research and writing are still core skills for political science students. The updated Fifth Edition of Writing a Research Paper in Political Science both takes students step-by-step through what they need to do at each stage to write a successful paper and also makes the case for why students need these skills at all in the age of AI -- and how to use AI as a coach.

In addition to using updated examples of student topics that pull from both American government and international relations, this useful, class-tested guide also includes examples of actual student writing to show readers how someone "just like them" accomplished tasks while writing their papers. Practical summaries, calendars, exercises, and a series of handy checklists make this a must-have supplement for any writing-intensive political science course.
 
List of Features
 
Preface
 
About the Author
 
Chapter 1: Do You Really Have to Write A Research Paper Now That There’s Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
What is a Research Paper? A Definition and a Few Helpful Metaphors

 
Writing a Research Paper Now that AI is Ubiquitous

 
Using AI as a Coach, Not a Drug

 
What Research Paper Writing Entails

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 2: Getting Started: Finding a Research Question
Characteristics of a Good Topic

 
Making a Topic a Question

 
Revising Your Question

 
Practical Summary

 
Exercises

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 3: The Annotated Bibliography: Finding Scholarly Sources and Properly Summarizing and Classifying their Arguments
Finding Conceptual Sources that Answer Your Research Question

 
Writing Summaries without Plagiarizing and Using Quotes Improperly

 
Grouping Your Sources and Producing the AB

 
Practical Summary

 
Exercises

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 4: The Literature Review: Explaining and Analyzing the Scholarly Debate
Understanding the Literature Review

 
Writing the Literature Review

 
Practical Summary

 
Exercises

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 5: The Thesis, Model, and Hypothesis: Precisely Specifying Your Argument
Three Ways to Represent an Argument

 
Applying These Insights in the Thesis or M&H Sections

 
Practical Summary

 
Exercises

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 6: Revising and Editing: The Research-Writing-Thinking Spiral
Revising and Editing: Your Chance to Curate Your Work

 
Making Yourself a Better Writer and Communicator

 
Practical Summary

 
Exercises

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 7: The Research Design: Your Plan and Justifications
Planning for Your Research

 
Research Design for Hypothesis-Driven Research

 
The Research Design: Two Examples

 
Practical Summary

 
Exercises

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 8: Evaluating the Argument: The Analysis and Assessment Section
Qualitative Analysis

 
Mixed (Qualitative and Quantitative) Analysis

 
Quantitative and Statistical Analysis

 
Practical Summary

 
Exercises

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 9: Bringing the Paper Together in Essential Ways: The Conclusion, Introduction, Title, Abstract, and the Utility of a Presentation
Considering the Significance of and Limitations on Your Findings: The Conclusion

 
Writing a Good Introduction

 
A Last Element in Attracting Readers: Developing an Appealing Title

 
Almost Done: Writing an Abstract and Giving a Presentation

 
Are You Done? The Joy (and Continued Responsibilities) of Finalizing Your Draft

 
Practical Summary

 
Exercises

 
Notes

 
 
Glossary
 
Bibliography
 
Index

An easy-to-follow and even easier to understand, well-written book on an often dry topic: how to do well what we value most. A gem that students and instructors will appreciate consulting and hopefully following.

Professor Nikolaos Zahariadis
Rhodes College
Review

Every instructor who has been tasked with teaching political science research to undergraduates knows how challenging it can be. Thankfully, Lisa Baglione's textbook provides a rigorous and comprehensive step-by-step approach to guide students through this challenge, and does so using approachable, caring, and motivating language.

Professor Sebastien Lazardeux
St. John Fisher University
Review

Lisa A. Baglione’s Writing a Research Paper in Political Science is an indispensable resource for any senior seminar capstone course. Its clear, step-by-step approach demystifies the research and writing process, guiding students from topic selection to final draft. Baglione’s practical advice and comprehensive coverage make it an essential tool for developing strong research skills and producing high-quality political science papers. I highly recommend it for both students and instructors alike.

Professor Shannon McQueen
West Chester University
Review

A very useful guide for a variety of research writing, especially for upper-level undergraduate courses. This source has been through various editions and remains a mainstay in the political science discipline because it offers specific examples and models that are very straightforward for researchers.

Professor Jonathan Wharton
Southern Connecticut State University
Review

For many undergraduates, the process of writing a research paper in political science is daunting. Baglione has written an essential text for students in this situation. She breaks down the paper into manageable sections, utilizes clear examples from a variety of relevant topics, and uses accessible language for students of different levels to comprehend.

Professor Marc. S. Polizzi
Murray State University
Review

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ISBN: 9781071969854
£36.99

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