<p>I was wondering how undergraduates are able to get involved and do some basic poli research. I've heard just go up to a prof and ask but aside from asking, "can i get involved in research?" are there any other specific question I should be asking.<br>
Thanks in advanced</p>
<p>Not really besides knowing why you want to work with a given professor. Read peoples’ CVs and prepare a quick “why me” tag line to go with a short informal email.</p>
<p>If you want to boost your chances of getting a substantive research project, try to develop some kind of skill set. For instance, if you have good knowledge of a foreign language you could look at newspapers in that language or volunteer to do some data-gathering work if you’re studying abroad in an area. Perhaps most importantly, try to develop some programming or statistical analysis skills (STATA, R, etc.). That would definitely help you stand out from other undergrads and increase your chances of getting a project beyond just basic coding.</p>
<p>Thank you. I don’t know if this is necessary to post but I’m in my second year and have only taken lower div polisci classes. This quarter I’m starting to take upper divisions. I specialize in American Politics (or at least will) and I’ve taken Poli 30 but felt that I didn’t really learn the workings of SPSS.</p>
<p>You’re not going to be expected to know how to meaningfully analyze data as an undergrad (nor would you at most Ph.D. programs in PoliSci just coming in), but you can begin to take interest in your professors’ work – that’s why I mentioned going through their CVs and pawing through some papers they’ve published so you can gain insight on some talking points.</p>
<p>I started out as an RA in a psych lab I really liked last quarter and eventually got promoted to a more research-oriented job with more responsibilities 
just another possibility if you’re kind of scared of jumping straight into a position that you feel underqualified for.</p>