Meeting the Challenges of Teaching Quantitative Research Methods 2 |
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| Coordinator 1 | Ms Debbie Collins (University of Southampton, UK) |
| Coordinator 2 | Dr Kevin Ralston (York St Johns University, UK) |
The teaching and learning of quantitative social research methods (SRM) presents challenges to both teachers and learners. The subject matter is often considered difficult and students have to learn to engage in sophisticated decision-making, such as being able to weigh up the pros and cons of particular methods, techniques and designs (Kilburn et al, 2014). Moreover, in learning quantitative SRM ‘statistical anxiety’ is often cited as a barrier (Macher et al. 2015). In an attempt to develop quantitative methods teaching and pedagogic culture, we want to come together as teachers and learners to discuss the challenges of quantitative research methods and the approaches, strategies, tactics and tasks that we use to address them (Nind and Lewthwaite, 2018).
We welcome papers from those involved in the teaching and learning of quantitative methods in social sciences (and related disciplines), and those involved in pedagogic research on teaching and learning quantitative methods. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to the following:
• Principles and approaches that guide and inform your teaching and learning of quantitative research methods, and the strategies and tasks that you use
• Effectiveness and value of different tasks and strategies in facilitating quantitative SRM teaching and learning
• Demonstrating ways in which digital technology can support and or enhance quantitative SRM teaching and learning
References
Kilburn, D., Nind, M., & Wiles, R. (2014). Learning as researchers and teachers: The development of a pedagogical culture for social science research methods? British Journal of Educational Studies, 62, 191–207.
Macher, D., Papousek, I., Ruggeri, K., Paechter, M. (2015) Statistics anxiety and performance: blessings in disguise. Frontiers in Psychology 6
Nind, M. and Lewthwaite, S. (2018) ‘Methods that teach: Developing pedagogic research methods, developing pedagogy’, International Journal of Research and Method in Education. doi: 10.1080/1743727X.2018.1427057.