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Teaching Undergraduates Research Methods: A “Methods Lab” Approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 December 2022

Heather Sullivan Open the ORCID record for Heather Sullivan [Opens in a new window]  and
Erica De Bruin Open the ORCID record for Erica De Bruin [Opens in a new window]
Heather Sullivan
Affiliation:
Hamilton College, USA
Erica De Bruin
Affiliation:
Hamilton College, USA
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Abstract

This article introduces a “methods lab” approach to teaching undergraduates about different types of research in political science. In this approach, students are given explicit instruction on what a specific research method entails and the opportunity to practice it before conducting their own research. Methods labs can help students craft more creative research designs as well as understand the strengths and potential pitfalls associated with each method, making the subsequent process of writing a research paper or thesis easier. We provide two sample methods labs focused on conducting archival research and developing survey and interview questions. We discuss our experiences in implementing the labs in a thesis course, describe how the modular lab approach could fit into multiple types of courses, and offer suggestions for those interested in developing labs for other types of research methods.

Type
Article
Information
PS: Political Science & Politics , Volume 56 , Issue 2 , April 2023 , pp. 309 - 314
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the American Political Science Association

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References

REFERENCES

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