Machine generated contents note: ch. 1 Visualizing Research -- Introduction -- Visualizing Research -- The Research Question -- The Process of Research -- Conclusion -- Discussion Questions -- ch. 2 Finding and Organizing Information -- Introduction -- Observation -- First-Person Observation: Seeing It Yourself -- Qualitative Approaches to First-Person Observation -- Quantitative Observational Studies and Instruments -- "Media"-ted Data Collection: Obtaining Data From the Middleman -- Qualitative Mediated Observation: Episodic Records -- Quantitative Mediated Observation: Running Records and Content Analysis -- Opinion Seeking: Interviews and Polling/Surveys -- Qualitative Opinion Seeking: Interviews -- Quantitative Opinion Seeking: Surveys/Polling -- Samples and Strategies in Polling Research -- Survey Instrument Design -- Description -- Classification and Conceptualization -- "Grounding" Theory -- Conclusion -- Discussion Questions -- Appendix to Chapter 2: Literature Reviews -- ch. 3 Causal Theory -- Introduction -- What Is Causal Theory? -- Deriving Theories Inductively and Deductively -- Inductive Reasoning -- Deductive Reasoning -- Qualitative and Quantitative Theory and Research -- Qualitative Theory and Research -- Quantitative Theory and Research -- Mixed Methods -- Theoretical Levels of Analysis -- Main Traditions in Theory Building in the Social Sciences -- The Interpretivist Tradition: Microlevel Induction -- Rational Choice Theory: Micro- and Macrolevel Deductions -- Structuralism: Macrolevel Deduction -- Behavioralism, Positivism, and Realism: Inductive Midlevel Analysis -- Building a Theoretical Argument -- Deductive Argumentation: Syllogisms, Conditional Logic, and Mathematics -- Inductive Argumentation: Four Steps for Building a Convincing Argument -- Conclusion -- Discussion Questions -- Appendix to Chapter 3: Prisoner's Dilemma: A Simple Example of Formal, Rational Choice Theory -- ch. 4 Preparing to Test Hypotheses -- Introduction -- A Typology of Variables -- Theoretical Models -- Hypotheses -- Operationalization and Measurement -- Validity, Reliability, and Precision: In Research Projects and in Measurement -- Validity and Reliability in Research Projects -- Validity of Measurements -- Reliability of Measurements -- Precision of Measurements -- Experimental Data Collection -- Quasi- and Natural Experiments -- Conclusion -- Discussion Questions -- ch. 5 Testing Hypotheses -- Introduction -- Hypothesis Testing and the Limits of Qualitative Research -- Hypothesis Testing Through Critical Tests -- Hypothesis Testing Through Statistical Analysis -- Statistical Significance -- Effect Size and Direction -- Types of Statistical Tests -- Regression Analysis -- Ordinary Least Squares -- Heteroscedasticity and Other Big Words -- Regression With "Limited Dependent Variables" -- Logit -- Probit -- Ordered Logit and Probit -- Poisson and Negative Binomial Regression -- Survival Models -- Cross-Tabulation Analysis -- Difference-of-Means Tests and ANOVA -- What Does It Look Like? -- Data Dredging and Hypothesis Testing -- Conclusion -- Discussion Questions -- ch. 6 Applying Theory and Evaluating the "Real World" -- Introduction -- The Varied Nature of "Case Study" Research -- Case Study Purpose Number 1: Understanding Theory Better -- Case Study Purpose Number 2: Understanding a Case Better -- Structured-Focused Analysis/Interpretative Case Study Research -- Simulations -- Theory Into Action: Praxis and Best Practices -- Research as a Cyclical Process -- Conclusion -- Discussion Questions.