The development of resources and local structures of support for those

engaged in teaching research methods

Malcolm Williams, Carole Sutton,

University of Plymouth

The Context of Methods & Methodology at Plymouth

• An emphasis on methods/ methodology in teaching & links with research that goes back to early 1990s

• MSc in Social Research (now part of 1+3 training structure)

• BSc Social Research

• ‘Methodological Innovations’

Methodological Innovations Research Group

• Started in 2005. Based in Faculty of Social Science & Business but remit across the university. One of 4 Faculty Research Groups Membership is informal with just a few ‘core’ members http://www.research.plymouth.ac.uk/methodologicalinovations/home.asp

• Wider membership includes sociologists, criminologists, lawyers, educationalists, economists, geographers. Also open to academics from other institutions & non academics involved in research.

• Meets twice per term and holds a two day annual methods symposium in April.

• Launched an on line peer reviewed journal in April 2006

Aim of the Group

• The aim of the group is to provide a platform for both informal and formal discussion of methodological issues, and to provide an environment for collaborative work. This will support and enhance the research culture both within the faculty and beyond as well as providing a valuable support network for postgraduate students who are early into their academic careers.

Methods@Plymouth

• Two day workshop/ discussion focussed event with keynote speakers http://www.research.plymouth.ac.uk/methodologicalinovations/methods07/programme.doc

• At the heart of our strategy to link good

research practice with dissemination. This year had a ‘teaching methods’ focus

Methodological Innovations Online

• Peer reviewed open access journal launched in April 2006. Published twice a year, but with additional ‘special’ issues.

• www.methodologicalinnovations.org

Methods training & teaching at Plymouth

• Undergraduate– generic methods– Specialist pathway Social Research

• Postgraduate• CPD

– Generic training– Bespoke courses

• Market Research Society accreditation– Advanced Certificate

Methods training & teaching at Plymouth

• ESRC Regional Training Centre– Survey link scheme workshop Feb 2007– Multimodal Qualitative Research (QUALITI) two

day workshop May 2007

– Build links with Centres of Expertise– Important resource given our geography.– Workshops/courses well attended by UoP post-

graduates/staff across subject disciplines

Arising Issues

• Management– Small pool of staff committed to RM

teaching– Ability vs willingness– Generic vs specialist– “Sociologists teaching methods”

Arising Issues

• Learning & Teaching related– Timetable restrictions – 1hr seminar/ PC room

availability– Delivery

• Problem based learning• Fieldwork Trips (HEFCE TQEF funded)

– Teaching quantitative analysis• Access to suitable and varied data sets• Matching student interest• Poor take up of secondary analysis at dissertation level

– Teaching Qualitative• Software issues• Timetabling• Others???

Summary

• Attempt at Plymouth to integrate levels of teaching and link to research

• Importance of a dedicated methods focus (MI)

• Future challenges: Under resourced – methods as ‘Cinderella’ ‘Anti- quants/ pro-humanities bias’Recruiting staff able/ willing to teach methodsRecruiting students willing/ able to learn about

methods