Learning How to Do Research: An Exercise and Syllabus

Abstract

“You learn how to do research by doing research.” “You learn about research by studying others’ research.” “You learn research by studying the elements and requirements of research.” We have taught students, both undergraduate and graduate, about the research process with those three traditional approaches and sets of basic assumptions. However, the idea of a Research Process Vision provides a fourth alternative blending elements of the three basic approaches.The Research Process Vision is an exercise for students in studying and experiencing the political science research process. Basically, the project/ exercise serves as a vehicle for students to sense the varied elements and issues in research and research design through a hypothetical “envisioning” process. Specifically, they develop a paper or document which sketches out and discusses a potential research project, envisions what might exist or be done, and what might occur.