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Resources and Research Facilities

Political science graduate students at Ohio State can take advantage of three unique resources: the Political Research Laboratory, the Mershon Center and the John Glenn Institute.

The Political Research Laboratory

PRL is an instructional and research support facility of the Political Science Department that plays a central role in the research curriculum at Ohio State. Its facilities are available to all students in the Department. PRL services include staff responsible for (1) advising and training of students in the use of archived data sets (especially those from ICPSR), (2) consulting in the use of quantitative research methods social science software packages (e.g., SPSS), and (3) maintenance of the Department’s computer network and computing infrastructure. In support of these services, PRL provides equipment such as micro-computers and printers. The PRL also operates an experimental research laboratory for use by faculty and graduate students. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, PRL serves as a resource center for students and faculty interested in the scientific analysis of political phenomena. Students interested in serving as GRAs in PRL should talk with the Director. Current hours and information on the availability of equipment can be obtained through the PRL office manager (292-1061). Students also have access to the University's mainframe computer and to personal computers located at various points in the Department and around the campus. Special opportunities for training and research are also provided by membership in the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research and selected foreign archives as well as the assignment of graduate students to the College’s Survey Research Unit. The Political Analysis Lab (PAL) of the Department and the new electronic classroom provide high-speed computers for students and political science classes.  

The Mershon Center

The Mershon Center for the Study of International Security supports research on topics of international security and focuses its research on four key areas: (1) The use of force and diplomacy in international relations. (2) The study of political and economic decision-making that affects war and peace. (3) Culture and Identity and their impact on national security. (4) Law and institutional management of violent inter-group conflict that might arise from a variety of causes, including conflicting material interests, normative beliefs or resource scarcity and usage. The Mershon Center supports research conducted by Ohio State faculty and students and hosts several competitions each year. Through its annual Faculty Grant Competition, Mershon encourages collaborative, interdisciplinary research projects within the University and with other institutions around the world. Faculty members from numerous departments around the University benefit from research support. The Mershon Center offers Mershon Research and Study Abroad Grants for Students, which supports the research goals of Ohio State undergraduate and graduate students who seek funding for travel to conduct research or take accredited courses abroad in topics related to international security studies. Applications for this competition are reviewed during winter quarter. The Mershon Center also funds Mershon Center Dissertation Fellows. This competition is for graduate students within one year of completing their Ph.D. whose research complements the four main research foci of the center. These competitive fellowships provide a stipend, office space, and computer for students nearing completion of their degree. In addition to supporting university faculty and student research, the Mershon Center routinely hosts speakers for talks, conferences, and symposia. Scholars as well as policy makers come to the Center from around the world are frequent visitors. The Center is currently running several speakers series, including the National Security Speaker Series, the Citizenship Speaker Series, the Political Economy and National Security Speaker Series, and the Graduate Workshop in Diplomatic History. For more information, see the Mershon Center Events Calendar at www.mershon.ohio-state.edu.

The Mershon Center is located on the south end of campus, at the corner of 8th Avenue and Neil Avenue. For more information about Mershon, please see www.mershon.ohio-state.edu or contact Julie Rojewski, Coordinator of Public Relations, at 292-7529 or rojewski.2@osu.edu.

 

 

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The Ohio State University Department of Political Science

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154 N. Oval Mall Columbus, OH 43210-1373
Phone: 1.614.292.2880
Fax: 1.614.292.1146

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