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Teaching Quantitative Methodology to the Math Averse

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 June 2009

Justin Buchler
Affiliation:
Case Western Reserve University

Abstract

Many political science students struggle in quantitative methods courses because they have never been taught how to learn math. Learning math is different from learning in other fields, so the techniques students have used successfully in other classes are inappropriate in mathematically oriented classes. However, most students have never been told this, so they blame their difficulty with math on the impenetrability of the subject rather than tactical studying errors. This brief article discusses some of the reasons that common studying techniques do not work in quantitative methodology classes, and discusses some simple techniques to help students develop learning habits that are better suited to quantitative courses.

Type
The Teacher
Copyright
Copyright © The American Political Science Association 2009

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