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An introduction to the design and evaluation of political research, from formulating clear questions and gathering appropriate data, to the use of simple statistical techniques for analyzing data and presenting evidence.

No Prerequisites

5

Units

Optional

Grading

1

Passtime

None

Level Limit

Letters and science

College
Unlocks POL S 132 POL S 149 POL S 143 POL S 126 POL S 170 POL S 134
These majors only prpol pols
Paasha Mahdavi
4.5
17 reviews
PHELP1513
R
14:00 PM - 14:50 PM
17 / 17 Full

PHELP1513
R
15:00 PM - 15:50 PM
17 / 17 Full

PHELP1513
R
16:00 PM - 16:50 PM
17 / 17 Full

PHELP1513
F
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
17 / 17 Full

PHELP1513
F
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
17 / 17 Full

PHELP1513
F
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM
17 / 17 Full

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Winter 2025 . Mahdavi P
GIRV 1004
M W
09:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Winter 2024 . Martinez Alva
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POL S 15 Mahdavi P Winter 2025 Total: 131
POL S 15 Mahdavi P Fall 2022 Total: 122
See All
17
4.5
POLS15 . 8 Months Ago

Prof Mahdavi is great. The course content is very theoretical in terms of statistics and can be quite daunting, but Mahdavi does a great job at making the tough concepts understandable. It is definitely a difficult course, and the readings could be confusing at times, but stick to Mahdavi's lectures, and you will do well!

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
POLS15 . 8 Months Ago

while the material might seem intimidating, literally just go to lecture. mahdavi does an amazing job at making it digestible and actually answers questions in a helpful way. u can tell he cares abt the class and his students well-being and learning. also a cutie, so it isn't hard to show up to class. highly recommend studying in groups

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
POLS15 . 8 Months Ago

Love professor mahdavi, you can tell hes really enthusiastic about teaching and is very knowledgable and a great lecturer. Plus he is fine asf.

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POLS15 . 2 Years Ago

Prof. Mahdavi has extensive knowledge of Research Methods in Political science and offers great examples. Lectures are clear, especially for tough course content. Assignments include 4-5 coding problem sets - I strongly suggest you work with friends in the class - as well as a midterm and final. Keep up and pay attention and you will succeed.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
POLS15 . 2 Years Ago

Professor Mahdavi seems to be the only political science professor at UCSB with any quantitative skills. The class is hard in terms of math for a political science class, but very easy if you have any prior understanding of basic statistics. Coding is in R studio and is pretty trivial.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
POLS15 . 3 Years Ago

Prof Mahdavi is an awesome professor! He really wants his students to succeed and everything he does is very fair. Lectures are super helpful and same with the coding labs, so for sure go to class and section if you want to do well. He also gives so many extra credit opportunities which was great.

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See all 17 reviews
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