Building capacity in quantitative methods for social science - Survey Skills Quantitative Methods Lecturer Programme (SSQMLP)

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Our proposal is to develop and deliver a one year pilot Survey Skills Quantitative Methods Lecturer programme (SSQMLP) which would, given appropriate funding, be reproducible in subsequent years and replicable across the UK and NI. It will be open to all lecturers and postgraduate students with responsibility for teaching social science undergraduates in the UK HE and FE sector. The programme will be based in 5 localities within the UK and lecturers will join the programme for three academic terms. The three main objectives of the programme are to: 1. Improve lecturers' confidence in teaching quantitative methods and survey research skills to undergraduate students 2. Extend lecturers knowledge of freely-available research resources such as the ESDS, Administrative Data Service, UK Data Archive etc 3. Extend their knowledge of key survey research methods, teaching resources and techniques. Participants will form a Local Action Learning Network (LALN) which will be supported and facilitated by the SSQMLP team. Action Learning is a well-tried method of accelerating learning by doing. It brings together a group of people with varied levels of skills and experience to analyse a problem and develop an action plan, working together to solve problems and learn under guidance from a facilitator posing probing questions and supportive challenges. The SSQMLP team will help participants to identify learning goals, to learn collaboratively building upon their existing experience and knowledge and to provide one another with peer support. The SSPQMLP will also provide a range of capacity-building and training opportunities covering all aspects of the survey research process. The three main components of the programme will be:Key element 1: Face to face action learningMembers of a LALN will be free to meet as frequently as they choose. However, the SSQMLP will facilitate 6 face-to-face events which will provide networking opportunities in addition to meeting specific action learning objectives. Each term there will be a one-day workshop and a separate early evening networking and learning event. These events will provide: 1. increased awareness of the survey research process and quality indicators 2. awareness and confidence in the use of the range of on line survey research resources available for quantitative teaching purposes 3. greater confidence in teaching quantitative methods 4. new tools and techniques for engaging students in learning related to quantitative research 5. an opportunity to network with and learn from their peers across social science disciplines 6. time to reflect on their teaching practices Key element 2: On-line resources All participants will benefit from access to on-line resources. We will develop an online community network for programme participants to pose questions and share their experiences, knowledge and learning. There will be an e-library of online resources to help their teaching - for example: 1. A 'how to' guide to using secondary data sources 2. Key sessions and presentations made available in the form of digital web and pod casts and via webinars for participants unable to attend in person 3. Online signposting to other ESRC and non ESRC training and teaching resourcesKey element 3: Optional individual placementsThe current Survey Skills Programme has built excellent relationships with the major UK survey organisations. The SSQMLP will build on these relationships to provide participants with optional individual placements to gain a first-hand insight into the survey process in the 'real world' and to improve their skills and understanding of survey research methods. These placements could include: 1. Accompanying an interviewer 2. attending a briefing for interviewers 3. shadowing a survey team from one of the survey organisations or working on a specific element of the survey process