POL-370 at Southern New Hampshire University is a three-credit undergraduate course, listed as online in the Fall 2026 catalog. The prerequisites are POL-210 American Politics and POL-211 International Relations.
The catalog says students examine applied aspects of research methods and statistical analysis commonly used in political science.
Through case studies using contemporary issues, they investigate procedures for gathering and analyzing data, draw conclusions from social scientific inquiry, and acquire practical skills for designing and conducting political science research.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
| Course code | POL-370 Analysis and Research in Political Science |
| Credits | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Prerequisites | POL-210 and POL-211 |
| Method | Case studies of contemporary issues |
What POL-370 Covers
| Catalog element | What to practice |
|---|---|
| Research methods | Framing a question, choosing an approach and justifying it |
| Statistical analysis | Reading and applying common statistics to political data |
| Gathering data | Where data come from and how reliable they are |
| Analysis and conclusions | Drawing conclusions that the evidence supports |
| Designing and conducting research | Putting the steps together in a plan |
Key Concepts with a Worked Example
From Topic to Research Question
A topic is an area; a question can be answered. "Voter turnout" is a topic. "Did a change in registration deadlines affect turnout among young voters?" is a question.
Variables and Hypotheses
A hypothesis states an expected relationship between an independent variable (the proposed cause) and a dependent variable (the outcome). Define how each will be measured.
Illustration (invented numbers): Suppose Group A has a turnout of 60 percent and Group B 54 percent. The difference is 6 points. Before claiming an effect you must ask whether the groups are comparable, whether chance could explain it, and whether other factors differ. Naming those caveats is part of the analysis.
Correlation and Causation
An association is not proof of cause. Discuss possible confounders and what additional evidence would strengthen a causal claim.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
The catalog does not list assignments. These are common types for a methods course; check your course room.
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Research question and hypothesis | Framing | Make the question narrow and answerable |
| Data analysis exercise | Applied statistics | Show steps, then explain the result in words |
| Case study analysis | Applying methods to an issue | Justify the method and discuss limits |
| Research design or proposal | Planning a study | Cover question, data, method and ethics |
Where Students Get Stuck
- Questions too broad. Narrow until you can name the data.
- Numbers without interpretation. Say what the result means for the question.
- Overclaiming. Match the strength of the conclusion to the evidence.
- Weak source evaluation. Judge who produced the data and how.
Study Tips for POL-370
- Keep a one-page guide to the statistics you must use and when each applies.
- Write the research question and hypothesis before collecting anything.
- Report your steps clearly enough that someone could repeat them.
- Always add a limitations paragraph.
Planning a Small Study
Applied research courses reward a clear plan. The steps below fit most assignments.
| Step | Output |
|---|---|
| 1. Question | One answerable sentence |
| 2. Hypothesis | Expected relationship and direction |
| 3. Measures | How each variable is defined and measured |
| 4. Data | Source, sample and limits |
| 5. Analysis | Method and result |
| 6. Conclusion | What the evidence does and does not show |
Reading Data Critically
Ask who collected the data, when, from whom and for what purpose. A survey with a low response rate or a convenience sample cannot support broad claims, and saying so is a mark of good analysis, not weakness.
A Worked Example: Writing Limitations
A limitations paragraph shows that you understand what your evidence can support.
Illustration (invented study): A survey of 200 volunteers from one town finds that people who follow news more often are more likely to vote. Limitations: the sample is not random, so results cannot be generalized; news use and voting may both be driven by interest in politics; and the survey relies on self-reports. The conclusion should be stated as an association in this sample, not as proof that news use causes voting.
Use this pattern: sample, causation, measurement. Then say what additional data would strengthen the claim.
Planning Your Time and Sources
Most work on a research assignment goes wrong in planning, not in writing. Splitting the task into stages, each with a visible output, keeps you on track and makes it easier to ask for feedback at the right moment.
| Stage | Output | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Read the brief | Annotated prompt and rubric | Underline every verb: analyze, evaluate, compare, recommend |
| Gather sources | A short list of scholarly articles and public datasets | Prefer peer-reviewed or official sources and record full citations as you go |
| Outline | Headings that mirror the rubric | Write one sentence under each heading stating your point |
| Draft question, method and limitations | A complete first version | Check that the conclusion claims no more than the data can support. |
| Edit | A clean final version | Read aloud, then check citations and formatting last |
Leave time for the edit. A document that is complete and consistent usually scores better than a longer one that was finished in a hurry.
How We Help with POL-370
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Frequently Asked Questions
SNHU lists POL-210 American Politics and POL-211 International Relations.
The Fall 2026 catalog lists 3 credits.
Yes. The description names research methods and statistical analysis.
The catalog lists it as online only.
The catalog does not specify a maths prerequisite. Check your course room for the tools used.
Yes. We review the question, method and interpretation and explain the fixes.