'This is the best and most comprehensive text on research design in political science. It is highly accessible without being superficial, and will quickly take students from the basics to a serious understanding of research design issues' - Frank Schimmelfennig, ETH Zurich University, Switzerland. 'This superbly executed and truly comprehensive guide to research design will provide students with a thorough understanding of the larger research process, from the conceiving of research questions to the presenting of research results.' - David Lowery, Pennsylvania State University, USA. 'An excellent treatment of research design that combines considerable depth with breadth in its coverage of methodological debate. It will be a first-rate textbook for students and an important source for seasoned scholars.' - Markus Haverland, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands.