This comprehensive yet concise guide to research, writing, and debating in political science provides students with the skills they need to conduct proper research, present clear arguments, and produce effective written work.

Marc Ménard was born in Montreal, where he still lives today. Firebrands is his second novel, and his first to be published in English.

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"The debating section sets this text apart, as does the detail in organizing ideas and researching before beginning to write a research paper." --Andrea Brown, Wilfrid Laurier University

"This text helps students understand why argumentation and critical thinking are important not only for doing well on assignments but in politics, democracy, and life." --Michelle Bonner, University of Victoria

"The main strength [of this text] is that the process of doing research has been broken down into the proper steps that are explained in a clear and straightforward way . . . This is a good fit for students being introduced to social science research." --David Long, The King's University College

"This is a highly readable book that clearly lays out a basic framework for conducting research and writing. . . . It will give political science students a toolbox of different methods and philosophical traditions to draw from when thinking through the research process." --Sandra Ignagni, Kwantlen Polytechnic University