Teaching Experimental Political Science

Elgar Guides to Teaching

Edited by Elizabeth A. Bennion, Chancellor's Professor of Political Science and Director of Community Engagement, Indiana University South Bend, US

The teacher-scholars featured in this book explain how to spark a students’ natural curiosity about the world they live in by using experimental design to test basic intuition, generate and answer “what if” questions, and address real world problems that matter deeply to students, researchers, policymakers, political practitioners, and the community at large.

‘The infectious enthusiasm with which the authors convey their teaching techniques and experiences draws the reader in, much as the hands-on pedagogy of experimental political science draws in students who might otherwise be reluctant to learn about research methods. Readers will find a wealth of innovative teaching ideas, but mainly they will be struck by the authors’ deep commitment to making political science research relevant and meaningful to students from all walks of life.’
– Donald P. Green, Columbia University, US

‘This essential volume demonstrates how to bring one of the most important developments in social science—the experimental revolution—to the classroom. While teaching and research are often thought to be at odds, this book demonstrates that they can—and should—go together. Instructors will benefit from the concrete examples and advice; their students will benefit from being taught state of the art research methods. We all will benefit from a more informed citizenry.’
– David E. Campbell, University of Notre Dame, US