Problems and Methods in the Study of Politics - Scholar Essays

In this review of Problems and Methods in the Study of Politics the bottom line is simple: this collection is for students, researchers, and teachers who want a rigorous, reflective discussion of how political science should be practiced. Edited by Ian Shapiro and Tarek E. Masoud, the volume gathers established scholars to examine the central methodological debate in political science and to argue whether the discipline should prioritize scientific methods or aim to address urgent real-world crises. The book's chief value is its sustained, disciplined engagement with the question of purpose in the study of politics.

Key Features

• Contributions by leading scholars: Essays offer varied perspectives that sharpen the reader's understanding of competing methodological approaches in political science.
• Focus on method and purpose: The collection helps readers weigh whether political science should act as a pure science or as a tool for resolving complex global problems.
• Theoretical and practical balance: Several chapters bridge abstract methodological debate with concrete concerns about current world crises and policy relevance.
• Edited volume structure: The editors curate complementary essays so the book reads as a coherent exchange rather than disjointed pieces.
• Suitable for classroom use: The essays provide clear prompts for seminar discussion on methodology, making the book useful for advanced courses in political science.

Who It's For

The book suits graduate students and faculty in political science who want an in-depth conversation about research design, epistemology, and the discipline's social purpose; it is especially valuable for those teaching seminars on methodology or writing theses that must justify method choices. Practitioners curious about the intellectual foundations of policy research will also find the essays thought-provoking.

Readers expecting a textbook that prescribes a single method or step-by-step research techniques should look elsewhere, because this volume is an edited, discursive set of reflections rather than a methods manual.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Authoritative voices provide a range of well-argued positions on methodological questions.
• The collection frames the central debate about whether political science should prioritize scientific neutrality or policy relevance.
• Essays stimulate seminar discussion and encourage critical thinking about research purpose.

Cons

• As an edited collection, it does not offer uniform coverage of practical research techniques, which limits its use as a hands-on methods guide.

Specifications

Title	Problems and Methods in the Study of Politics
Editors	Ian Shapiro and Tarek E. Masoud
Format	Edited scholarly volume
Subject	Political science methodology and the purpose of the discipline
Intended audience	Students, researchers, and teachers of political science
Content focus	Debates over scientific methods versus policy-oriented scholarship

Our Verdict

Problems and Methods in the Study of Politics is a valuable, thought-provoking collection for those who want to interrogate the aims and methods of political science. It is good value for readers seeking intellectual rigor and a range of scholarly positions, though those looking for concrete methodological how-to guidance will need a complementary textbook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for undergraduate courses?
Yes, upper-level undergraduates in political theory or methodology seminars can benefit, though instructor guidance is helpful.

Does the volume teach research techniques or tests?
No, it focuses on debate about method and purpose rather than step-by-step research techniques.

Who edited the collection?
The volume is edited by Ian Shapiro and Tarek E. Masoud.