Governance in Political Science - Research and Undergraduate Participation

Governance in Political Science

Governance encompasses the mechanisms and processes by which political entities, including nations and organizations, exercise authority, make decisions, and provide public goods and services. In the realm of political science, governance centers around:

1. Political Institutions: Design, function, and effectiveness of governmental bodies and structures, such as legislative, executive, and judiciary branches.
2. Public Policy: Formulation, implementation, and assessment of public policies aimed at addressing societal challenges and promoting development.
3. Citizen Engagement: The extent to which citizens participate in the political process and influence decision-making, through direct and indirect means.

Research and Undergraduate Participation

Undergraduate research experiences, particularly in political science laboratories, have shown to transform students' ideas about the nature of science and develop technical, analytic, and critical thinking skills. Collaborative research opportunities benefit undergraduates by enhancing their skills, knowledge, and appreciation for how research is accomplished, as well as increasing their confidence in doing science.

For example, at the University of California Riverside, a minority-serving institution (MSI) lab involves undergraduate and graduate students in projects related to health and politics. The collaborative research model fosters an inclusive and humanizing experience, enabling students to co-create research protocols, collect data, transcribe and code data, and write up findings.

Challenges and Benefits

While engaging in governance research presents challenges, such as time management, bureaucratic procedures, and self-doubt, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. For instance, undergraduate research assistants (URAs) have reported that their work has shaped their path to pursue graduate studies, developed their social and professional skills, and opened doors to internships and other competitive opportunities.

URAs also serve as co-authors, data collectors, and survey respondents, performing key roles in many research projects. Collaborative research opportunities have proven to have beneficial outcomes, especially for students from groups that are underrepresented in doctoral programs.

In summary, governance in political science encompasses the mechanisms and processes by which political entities exercise authority, make decisions, and provide public goods and services. Undergraduate research experiences, particularly in political science laboratories, have shown to transform students' ideas about the nature of science and develop technical, analytic, and critical thinking skills. Collaborative research opportunities have proven to have beneficial outcomes, especially for students from groups that are underrepresented in doctoral programs.