Book excerpt: This text is a complete introduction to reseah methods in political science, covering all the topics typically included in a one semester undergraduate-level course. h concentrates on the basics of what a student needs to know how to do in order to be an effecise consumer of scientific research and begin to conduct his or her own research projects. The approach of ‘learning by doing” is encouraged through nUmeroUs examples and exercises. The book is written in an informal style, with minimal use of technical jargon. Alan D. Monroe (Ph.D.. Indiana Univrsity) has taught introductory research methods at Illinois Slate University for more than 25 years. He has published research on a variety of topics, particularly of public opinion and public policy in the U.S.. and has also conducted a number of research projects for governmental agencies and private clients, including surveys for political campaigns.