The course introduces the philosophical and epistemological aspects of research. It emphasizes the relevance of methodology for the study of and research in political sciences. Courses cover a wide range of issues from the philosophy of science and epistemology, through the nature and processes of science and the social sciences, history of political science and its status as a science, questions of theory and causation and how we study political science as a science. The following topics will be covered; the factors to consider in selecting a research topic in political science; topic formulation; research proposal writing; the conceptual foundation of research; literature review, significance and approaches; research design; target population, meaning, significance and how to select the research target population; meaning, significance of sample size and sampling techniques; data collection instruments and how to select appropriate ones; data presentation; the meaning and significance of data analysis; data analysis techniques. Further emphasis on explanation and prediction in social science and inter-paradigm debate in political science are elucidated.