URCAD is this Wednesday, April 16th!

Afternoon Poster Session I | 1 – 2 p.m. | Poster #26

Evaluating POLI 301 As A Gateway Course For Upper-Level Political Science Electives

Nehal Naqvi
Mentors: Ian Anson, Political Science; Carolyn Forestiere, Department of Political Science, UMBC; William Blake, Department of Political Science, UMBC; Laura Antkowiak, Department of Political Science, UMBC; Brian Grodsky, Department of Political Science, UMBC; Mileah Kromer, Department of Political Science, UMBC

This research study examined the role of personal and demographic characteristics towards performance, enrollment frequency, and retake odds in Research Methods in Political Science, alongside the transferability of course skills towards upper level political science electives. Determinants for success in POLI 301 and its utility towards departmental curriculum have remained under focus, with widespread reputation as the most challenging course in the political science major (even after a major redesign in Fall 2019). We employed a quantitative design, analyzing course performance data from Fall 2020 to Spring 2024 and course to course performance comparisons from Fall 2020 to Spring 2022 using bivariate analysis, regression analysis, paired analysis, and ANOVA. Our research found that political science GPA, admission type, and biological sex were significant predictors of performance and enrollment frequency in POLI 301 when controlling for competing covariates. Political science GPA and admission type also significantly explained retake odds for the course. Additionally, we found that performance in STAT 121 significantly predicted POLI 301 performance. Lastly, we did not find added benefit in completing POLI 301 towards performance in political science electives or increased conformity in performance between POLI 301 and upper level electives through greater inclusion of research methods skills.