Chapter 4 Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

• describe the role that theory plays in empirical political science research, distinguishing between theory-building and theory-testing research;
• list the five criteria for causal relationships and explain why causality can be difficult to establish in political science research;
• explain what conceptual definitions are and how concepts are operationalized; and
• create strategies to assess causal arguments, conceptual definitions, and measures in political science research.