POL221
Methods and Statistics in Political Science
September 17, 2007

Problem Set #2

We see different types of organizations in all aspects of our lives, from the personal level to international relations. Some of these organizations tend to be more representative than others. Why?

1. Develop a research design which could offer answers to this question. Make sure that your proposed research design defines the relevant terms and incorporates a research question, a theory (with a dependent variable and independent variables), and evidence.   (You do not have to collect any actual evidence for this assignment; just explain what type of evidence you would collect if you implemented your research design.)
2. How might this research design face problems of
1. indeterminancy
2. selection bias
3. Exactly how might you minimize each of these problems?

You can answer all questions by working together with others, but each student must turn in his or her own answer separately.  You should type your answers, using 1-inch margins and a font no smaller than 10 point.  The first page of your paper should only contain identifying information (your name, etc.).  The text of your answers should begin on the second page (with no identifying information on this or later pages).  The paper can be either single- or double-spaced.  All the text of your answer should appear on the second page; when grading, I will not read any material past the second page (except notes or citation information in a bibliography).  The paper should contain appropriate in-text citations for any sources used.  The detailed information for each citation should then appear in a bibliography on a separate third page.  The problem set is due at the start of class on October 5.  Papers turned in after 10 minutes after the scheduled start of class will be considered late.  Finally, the Honor Code binds all answers; make sure that you pledge your work.