The Practice of Political Science

An illustration showing a person collecting data through various means including surveys and charts By the end of this lesson, students will be able to explain how political scientists construct knowledge and communicate inferences and explanations about political systems, institutional interactions, and behavior.

How Political Scientists Study Government and Power

In AP Comparative Government, you’ll explore how political scientists study and understand different governments around the world. They don’t just guess or rely on opinion - they use tools and methods to gather evidence, analyze information, and draw meaningful conclusions. This process helps them better explain how political systems function and how people interact with them.

Gathering and Analyzing Information

Political scientists use a wide range of information to make comparisons and observations. This includes charts, tables, graphs, political cartoons, speeches, historical documents, commentaries, and maps. By examining both quantitative data (numbers and statistics) and qualitative data (words, images, and ideas), they can understand what’s going on in a country and how it compares to others.

For example, they might use data on election results or public opinion polls to compare how democratic institutions work in the UK versus Mexico. Or they might analyze a political cartoon to understand how citizens in Nigeria view government corruption.

Using Data to Compare Countries

A major part of comparative politics is identifying patterns and relationships between different countries. Political scientists often use quantitative methods—that is, numbers and statistics—to compare things like income, freedom, or government effectiveness. These comparisons help us see how countries are similar or different and can lead to useful insights about what makes a government successful or unstable.

It’s important to understand some of the key tools used for comparing countries. Select each term below to review the basic definition.

Human Development Index (HDI)

Measures overall quality of life, including health, education, and income.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The total value of what a country produces (goods and services) in a year.

GDP per capita

The average income per person in a country.

GDP Growth Rate

How fast the economy is growing.

Gini Index

Measures economic inequality.

Freedom House Scores

Rates countries based on political rights and civil liberties.

Transparency International

Tracks the level of corruption in different governments.

Failed States Index

Measures how stable or unstable a country is politically and socially.

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