Applied Methods in Policy Research: Theory and Potential for Practical Use in Studying the Problems of Nation-Building

This article considers the applied methods in policy research: expert survey, questionnaire, content analysis, cognitive mapping, focus groups, Internet monitoring, SWOT-analysis, scenario analysis. The authors show the need of using a complex of theoretical and applied research methods for finding effective solutions for political problems and tasks in the field of nation-building due to the practical orientation of political science.