This resource unit, developed by the University of Minnesota's Project Social Studies, introduces eighth graders to political parties and elections. Ways in which political scientists study voting behavior, sampling techniques, problems arising from interpreting findings, and the use of correlational studies are presented. The unit includes an analysis of political behavior of voters in which students set up hypotheses about voter behavior and check them against data in numerous tables. They figure out limitations of the data in the tables and what other kinds of data that are needed before drawing conclusions. The first of two content outlines presents an organized body of content to illustrate the relationship of the content of the unit to the major generalizations and teaching activities. The second outline suggests the order in which content might be taught. Objectives are listed and supplementary readings are appended along with several classroom exercises. Teacher's guide is SO 007 511. (Author/KSM)