Sources of Research Ideas in Political Science (Pols 110)

Introduction

Every scientific inquiry begins with an idea — a question or puzzle that motivates investigation. In political science, as in other disciplines, research ideas do not emerge randomly but arise from identifiable sources: observation, literature, political outcomes, policy analysis, and the practical needs of society. This note outlines these sources and clarifies the role of theory in guiding political inquiry.

ResearchGate

Theory as a Starting Point

A theory is a systematic and logical explanation of political reality. Theories provide the conceptual lens through which researchers interpret observations and generate testable questions.

Sources of Research Ideas

1. Observation of the natural or social environment — In political science, this means drawing research ideas from observed phenomena within one's own political and social environment.

2. Literature and current political phenomena — Observing ongoing political events — such as the causes and motives behind the spread of kidnapping or the Boko Haram insurgency — can generate research ideas by prompting questions about underlying drivers and dynamics.

3. Outcomes of political processes — Election results and other political outcomes can motivate researchers to investigate the factors that influenced why people voted the way they did, or why a particular political outcome occurred.

4. Theories and assumptions of government and public policy — The study of government policy choices and their outcomes serves as a motivation for research among students of political science and international relations, particularly regarding why certain policies were chosen and what effects they produced.

5. The social environment and existing empirical knowledge — Research ideas emerge from analysis of the broader social environment, while also being shaped by the existing (empirical) state of knowledge on a given topic.

6. Available literature — The scientific research process typically begins with a critical and extensive literature review, aimed at identifying gaps in existing knowledge that a new study can attempt to fill.

7. Applied research/practical problem-solving — Research ideas can also emerge from the need to find practical solutions to real societal problems. This type of research is known as applied research, and it is especially common in the social sciences and applied sciences, where studies are often designed specifically to address practical, real-world problems.

Conclusion

Research ideas in political science are not arbitrary; they emerge systematically from observation of political life, engagement with existing literature, analysis of political and policy outcomes, and the practical demand for solutions to societal problems. Recognizing these sources equips researchers to identify meaningful gaps in knowledge and formulate research that is both theoretically grounded and practically relevant.