Why should political science students learn to code?
Thanks to networked digital technology, today’s political scientists are better equipped than ever to understand their field. However, political science students who do not learn to code will never be able to use these tools to their full potential. With no knowledge of programming or the related field of data science, they may well end up feeling that they’re drowning in useless information.
Coding skills, by contrast, will help them conduct empirical research, analyze large quantities of data, and build computational models. By learning to program, students can also automate repetitive tasks, present data to different audiences, and collaborate effectively with other researchers. In fields such as political behavior, public policy, and international relations, experience and conventional wisdom are increasingly being replaced by hard data. Utilizing this requires a deep understanding of how software works.
Additionally, coding skills can be helpful for careers in data analysis, political consulting, and many kinds of public sector positions. Moreover, learning to code can enable political science students to better understand the technology and tools used in the field and equip them with valuable problem-solving skills transferable to various industries.
Political science students should also consider learning data science. This refers to tools, including coding, that facilitates conducting empirical research, extracting meaningful information from large and complex datasets, identifying patterns and trends in raw data, and building predictive models. By learning data science, students can also develop the ability to design surveys that generate high-quality data, combine information from different sources, and communicate political insights authoritatively and precisely.
Additionally, data science is becoming increasingly important in interdisciplinary research. When trying to gain insights into political behavior, public policy, and international relations, political scientists typically consult or collaborate with experts outside their field. Knowledge of data science dramatically facilitates communication in this kind of environment. Finally, considering data science’s usefulness in data analytics, political consulting, and public sector management, any data science qualification is an excellent addition to your resume.
