Description
Book SynopsisThis book is designed to serve as a reliable research companion to students of American government as they navigate their undergraduate programs. It is a no-nonsense guide that assists students as they develop research questions, explore the literature, make use of Web-base resources, analyze data, and present findings.
Trade ReviewFinally-an undergraduate American Government text that fuses research design and substantive knowledge! Coherently integrating the study of American Government with social science analysis, the Frantzich and Ernst text teaches students how to do social science research in American Government. The Political Science Toolbox is an outstanding resource for American Government instructors interested in showing students how to produce knowledge about American Government rather than merely consume it. -- Bruce A. Larson, Gettysburg College
The Political Science Toolbox is a fantastic new resource for students of American government. This one-of-a-kind text teaches students about American government by involving them in political inquiry. The work blends the substance of American politics with the tools of political science, and does it at a level that is well suited for undergraduates. Well-written and thoughtfully organized, the work is destined to become an indispensable resource for students. I wish it had been available when I was in college! -- Larry J. Sabato, director, University of Virginia Center for Politics and author of The Kenneday Half-Century
The Political Science Toolbox is a breakthrough text book that will benefit students and professors of American government. It is rare to find a text that can both anchor an introductory politics course and explain the complexity of the science of politics without dumbing-down the critical material. The Toolbox combines the modern — by making use of useful Internet links - with the traditional — by emphasizing history, theory and methodology. It is much more than a introductory text to political science; It is the kind of book that students will use again and again throughout their college careers. -- Zach Messitte, Associate Professor and William J. Crowe Chair in Geopolitics at the University of Oklahoma
Recommended. -- R. Heineman, Alfred University * CHOICE *
This is a very unique, and very useful book. It provides a user-friendly and practical guide for undergraduate students to access resources that will assist them in conducting research. This enhances their ability to engage in self directed learning, or,in other words, helps students learn how to fish. It is likely to become an indispensable supplement for any introduction to American government or politics class. -- John Ishiyama, Editor-in-chief, Journal of Political Science Education
This is a very unique, and very useful book. It provides a user-friendly and practical guide for undergraduate students to access resources that will assist them in conducting research. This enhances their ability to engage in self directed learning, or, in other words, helps students "learn how to fish". It is likely to become an indispensable supplement for any introduction to American government or politics class. -- John Ishiyama, Editor-in-chief, Journal of Political Science Education
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction: Thinking Like a Political Scientist Chapter 2 The Constitution and Found Era Chapter 3 Congress and the Legislative Process Chapter 4 The Presidency and the Bureaucracy Chapter 5 The Federal Judiciary Chapter 6 State and Local Government Chapter 7 The Media Chapter 8 Political Parties and the Interest Groups Chapter 9 Elections, Public Opinion, and Voting
