increasing the use of large scale surveys in undergraduate dissertations in the social sciences mark...
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Increasing the Use of Large Scale Increasing the Use of Large Scale Surveys in Undergraduate Surveys in Undergraduate Dissertations in the Social Dissertations in the Social
SciencesSciences
Mark Brown and Jo WathanMark Brown and Jo WathanCentre for Census and Survey Research Centre for Census and Survey Research
School of Social Science School of Social Science University of ManchesterUniversity of Manchester
[email protected]@[email protected]@manchester.ac.uk
Manchester experience…Manchester experience…
Very few undergraduate dissertations in Sociology Very few undergraduate dissertations in Sociology use quantitative methods use quantitative methods
……despite training in data analysis despite training in data analysis (SPSS) (SPSS)
……despite superb range of very despite superb range of very accessible social survey data accessible social survey data
Manchester – the norm rather Manchester – the norm rather than exceptionthan exception
‘‘British students are usually encouraged to collect their own British students are usually encouraged to collect their own data for final year undergraduate projects…This data for final year undergraduate projects…This contrasts with the USA where most sociology students contrasts with the USA where most sociology students conduct secondary analysis of large-scale survey data… conduct secondary analysis of large-scale survey data…
The lack of use of secondary analysis in Britain is The lack of use of secondary analysis in Britain is surprising given that such a large number of high quality surprising given that such a large number of high quality national surveys are readily available and that expertise national surveys are readily available and that expertise in the analysis and data management of large surveys is in the analysis and data management of large surveys is in great demand by employers.’in great demand by employers.’
Sara Arber in Nigel Gilbert (Sara Arber in Nigel Gilbert (2001)Researching Social Life2001)Researching Social Life
The (presumed) constraints?The (presumed) constraints?
Lack of motivation Lack of motivation No confidence in quantitative skillsNo confidence in quantitative skills Find it boring and lacking relevanceFind it boring and lacking relevance
AND (or because of) AND (or because of)
Lack of knowledge about the resources Lack of knowledge about the resources availableavailable
Project philosophy…Project philosophy…Let the resources speak for themselvesLet the resources speak for themselves
Don’t start with ‘what’s a standard deviation?’ or ‘how to do a Don’t start with ‘what’s a standard deviation?’ or ‘how to do a cross-tab’cross-tab’
First engage students – showcase the resourcesFirst engage students – showcase the resources
… …. make the links between topics students are . make the links between topics students are interested in and relevant surveys interested in and relevant surveys
……. then equip them with the skills to operationalise a . then equip them with the skills to operationalise a research question for secondary data analysisresearch question for secondary data analysis
……. learning that is personalised, hands-on, and using . learning that is personalised, hands-on, and using
real datareal data
Training programme structure..Training programme structure..Mimic the research processMimic the research process
Research topics/questions Research topics/questions
Search for Data Search for Data
Data evaluation: Data evaluation: is it fit for purpose? is it fit for purpose?
OperationalisationOperationalisation
Data AnalysisData Analysis
Interpretation Interpretation
PILOT
5 Workshops
Sociology students at end of Year 2
(financial incentives)
3 themed workbooks:3 themed workbooks:www.esds.ac.ukwww.esds.ac.uk/government/resources/sass//government/resources/sass/
Manchester Sociology (BSocSc) Manchester Sociology (BSocSc) 22ndnd year methods training (before) year methods training (before)
Research Design
Qualitative Analysis
Survey Research and Quantitative Analysis
Life Stories and Life Stories and Biographical researchBiographical research
compulsory
Manchester Sociology (BSocSc) Manchester Sociology (BSocSc) 22ndnd year methods training (after) year methods training (after)
Research Design
Qualitative Analysis
Survey Research and Quantitative Analysis
Life Stories and Life Stories and Biographical researchBiographical research
Secondary Analysis Secondary Analysis of Social Surveysof Social Surveys
compulsory
options
Encouraging statisticsEncouraging statistics
First year: 6 studentsFirst year: 6 students
Last year: 21 students (1/3 of compulsory Last year: 21 students (1/3 of compulsory class) class)
Follow through to a quantitative Follow through to a quantitative dissertation? dissertation?
In conclusionIn conclusion
Data analysis (SPSS)
Real questions Real data
Just this is not enough
Where’s the relevance?
Why do so few students do quantitative dissertations?Why do so few students do quantitative dissertations?
In conclusionIn conclusion
Q. How to make it relevant? Q. How to make it relevant?
A. Help students make the connectionsA. Help students make the connections
Data analysis (SPSS)
Real questions Real data
A suitable question for A suitable question for secondary analysis?secondary analysis?
Is there data on my topic?Is there data on my topic?
How do I operationalise my How do I operationalise my research question?research question?
How do I access it?How do I access it?