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Methodology

Notre Dame is a leading voice in mixed-methods political science research. Our faculty members employ, develop, and teach cutting-edge empirical approaches from the qualitative toolkit — such as historical comparative analysis, process tracing, and field research — and from the quantitative toolkit — such as causal inference, natural language processing, and measurement models. We also conduct research and offer courses that draw on observational and experimental methodology.

Outstanding faculty

Our faculty employs advanced methodological techniques to tackle big and important political questions about the quality of democracy, criminal violence, religion and politics, state politics, climate change, international security, and political behavior.

Graduate study in political methodology

Graduate students can specialize in political methodology as one of their subfields. Our department regularly offers a wide variety of courses, including causal inference, experiments, field research methods, qualitative methods, and advanced quantitative methods. This rigorous curriculum has prepared our Ph.D. students to publish in top journals and presses and to obtain jobs teaching methodology at research universities.

Undergraduate study in political methodology

The undergraduate specialization in political methodology offers a rigorous program for integrating this knowledge into strong analytical skills that are highly regarded in industry, government, and graduate schools. It requires taking four courses that belong to the methodology curriculum. The department regularly offers two core courses – qualitative methods and quantitative analysis – and various applied ones.

Faculty and student support

Several units in the Department of Political Science and the broader Notre Dame community support faculty and students through labs, funding, workshops, seminars, and conferences. The Kellogg Institute for International Studies and the Rooney Democracy Institute support faculty-student research labs, organize weekly research workshops, sponsors seminars and lectures by visiting scholars. The Lucy Institute for Data and Society is another important hub for synergies between methodology students and faculty.

 

Field highlights

Two women with shoulder-length hair smile at the camera in professional headshots. The woman on the left has dark hair and wears a houndstooth blazer. The woman on the right has light brown hair and wears a plaid blazer.

Data-driven faculty use advanced methodologies to reassess long-held theories and identify new trends in American politics

Michael Coppedge sits with Brigitte Seim wearing Kellogg Institute lanyards sit at a table, engaged in conversation. A microphone is positioned between them, indicating a formal setting, possibly a panel discussion or Q&A.

Measuring the State of Democracy with Michael Coppedge

View from behind two fans at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. The stage features "Taylor Swift The Eras Tour" signage and a backdrop of images of Taylor Swift. Large speakers and lighting rigs are visible above the stage in the stadium setting.

Political scientists study how Taylor Swift ticket fiasco pushed fans to make a move into politics

Faculty

  1. Michael Coppedge headshot. A fair-skinned man with a warm smile wearing a navy blue suit jacket and a colorful striped tie. He has short, graying hair and is wearing wire-rimmed glasses.

    Michael J. Coppedge

    Professor

  2. Eugene Gholz headshot. Headshot of a fair-skinned man with a salt and pepper goatee, wearing glasses, a lilac shirt, and a patterned purple tie with a gray suit jacket. He has short dark hair and is smiling at the camera. Framed artwork is visible in the background, out of focus.

    Eugene Gholz

    Associate Professor

  3. Jeff Harden headshot. A man wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and gold patterned tie. He is smiling at the camera against a plain gray background.

    Jeff Harden

    Andrew J. McKenna Family College Professor

  4. Michael Hoffman headshot. A man with short brown hair, light green eyes, and a broad smile. He wears a white and light blue checkered collared shirt against a gray background.

    Michael Hoffman

    Associate Professor

  5. Debra Javeline headshot. A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling, against a gray background. She wears a teal blouse.

    Debra Javeline

    Professor

  6. Steven Landis headshot. A man with short dark blonde hair, a trimmed beard, and a broad smile. He wears a light blue dress shirt and a blue and white checkered tie. The background is a solid light gray.

    Steven T. Landis

    Assistant Teaching Professor

  7. Geoffrey Layman headshot. A man with short, graying hair and a goatee smiles for a professional headshot. He is wearing a blue button-down shirt and a navy blue suit jacket.

    Geoffrey C. Layman

    Professor
    Department Chair

  8. Angela McCarthy headshot. A woman with long brown hair, wearing a black blazer and a dark patterned shirt, smiles at the camera against a light gray background.

    Angela McCarthy

    Associate Teaching Professor
    Director of Undergraduate Studies

  9. Rachel Porter headshot. A woman with long dark hair, wearing a patterned brown and cream blazer over a white blouse. She smiles against a plain gray backdrop.

    Rachel Porter

    Notre Dame du Lac Assistant Professor of Political Science

  10. Erin Rossiter headshot. A woman with shoulder-length auburn hair, smiling at the camera. She wears a gray and burgundy plaid blazer over a black top. The backdrop is a solid gray.

    Erin Rossiter

    Nancy Reeves Dreux Assistant Professor

  11. Luis Schiumerini headshot. A man with short brown hair, glasses, and a white collared shirt.

    Luis Schiumerini

    Assistant Professor

Partners

Methodology faculty and students are supported by and regularly participate in the wide variety of resources available at Notre Dame, including:

  • Kellogg Institute for International Studies logo. A maroon oval containing a faint world map graphic and the letters "Ki" in white sits to the left of a gold vertical line. To the right of the line, the words "Kellogg Institute" are written in navy blue above the words "for International Studies" in gold.

    Kellogg Institute for International Studies

    Promotes research excellence on critical global challenges, with a particular focus on democracy and human development.

  • The Democracy Initiative logo at the University of Notre Dame. The words "Democracy Initiative" appear above a horizontal line, with the University of Notre Dame logo below. The University logo depicts a gold shield with a cross, book, and star along with wavy lines beneath. Latin words appear on the open book.

    Notre Dame Democracy Initiative

    Establishing Notre Dame as a leader in the study of democracy both in the U.S. and worldwide, as a convenor for conversations about and actions to preserve democracy, and as a model for the formation of civically engaged citizens and public servants.

  • Kellogg Institute for International Studies logo. A maroon oval containing a faint world map graphic and the letters "Ki" in white sits to the left of a gold vertical line. To the right of the line, the words "Kellogg Institute" are written in navy blue above the words "for International Studies" in gold.

    Reparations Design and Compliance Lab

    Creates datasets, develops and tests methodologies to assess the design of reparations and understand when States comply with reparative orders of international adjudication bodies.