The Palgrave Handbook of Political Research Pedagogy

Acknowledgments
Praise for The Palgrave Handbook of Political Research Pedagogy
Contents
Notes on Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction to Teaching the Research Process
Mission and Aims
Strategy and Approach
Contributors
Chapter Summaries
Information Literacy
Research Design
Research Methods
Research Writing
References
Part I Teaching Information Literacy
2 Information Literacy Development of Undergraduate Political Science Student Researchers: The Instruction Librarian’s Role
Training for Academic Librarians
Information Literacy in Higher Education
ACRL Information Literacy Standards and Framework
Information Literacy in the Political Science Curriculum
Take-Aways
Library Instruction for Information Literacy
One-Shots
Take-Aways
Other Instructional Modes
Live Webinars and Pre-Recorded Lectures
Digital Learning Objects
Embedded Librarianship
Take-Aways
Faculty Support for Information Literacy
Conclusion
References
3 Should Research Methods Teach Information Literacy or Statistics? Why not Both?
From Facing Fears to “Fake News:” The Evolution of My Teaching Philosophy
Introducing Information Literacy
Balancing the Competing Goals
Discussion
References
4 The Politics of Identity and Teaching Information Literacy in Political Science
References
5 Using K12 Foundations to Teach Scientific Literacy in College Research Methods
The Next Generation Science Standards
Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs)
Cross-Cutting Concepts (CCCs)
Science & Engineering Practices (SEPs)
A Revamped Version of Political Science Research Methods
Segment One: The DCIs
Segment Two: The CCCs
Segment Three: The SEPs
Conclusion
References
6 Designing a Research Methods Course for a Skeptical Classroom
Inauspicious Beginnings
Reality Bites
Take Two
Science Literacy: Science as a Way to Understand the World Around Us
Science History: Mostly Incremental Changes with Occasional Paradigmatic Shifts
Methods as a Language, Small Assignments Allowing Hands-On Experience
References
7 Journeys Beyond Information Literacy: Applying a Metaliteracy Framework to Political Science
Sally’s Journey
Trudi’s Journey
Metaliteracy’s Foundational Elements
Applications
Learning Domains
Roles
Different Perspectives and Small Group Activities
Focus on Specific Roles
Quests
Conclusion
References
8 The Savvy Consumer of Political Science Research
My First year Teaching Research Methods
Back to the Beginning
Incorporating My Reflections into Concrete Changes
Less is More
Focus on Information Literacy
Make It Fun
Reflections on Where I Am Now
References
9 Zen and the Art of Teaching Methods Without a Methods Course
The Journey
Career Kismet
A Pedagogical Marriage
A Project Excerpt and Takeaways
References
Part II Teaching Research Design
10 Building Qualitative Methods Skills Through Research Design
Introduction
Building the Course
Reflections on Practice
Takeaways
References
11 Teaching Research Design with Authenticity
Carrying the Mantle of What a Methods Class “Should” Be
Revealing the Authentic Me as a Pedagogical Tool
Teaching Research Design as a Process
Conclusion
References
12 Research Design as Professional Development and Empowerment: Equipping Students to See, Analyze, and Intervene in Political Realities
Personal Statements
Survey Research
Undergraduate Labs
Conclusions
References
13 Teaching Multidisciplinary Research Methods at a Small Liberal Arts College
A Brief Description of the Course and Its Students
A Pedagogical Journey
Concluding Advice: Preparing Your Cross-Listed Course
References
14 Less Can Be More: Encouraging Mastery of Research Design in Undergraduate Research Methods
Teaching Undergraduate Research Methods
Teaching Breadth Over Depth
Teaching Depth Over Breadth
Remaining Challenges
15 “Research Methods: Who Am I and Why Am I Here?”
Welcome to Teaching Research Methods
Teaching Philosophy, Research Methods, and Learning Outcomes
Moving Methods to Online Modality
Professional Development Addressing Continuing Angst
Reflecting on the Journey
Conclusion
References
16 The Inquiry’s the Thing: Teaching Quantitative Research Without Teaching Statistical Software
My Pedagogical Evolution
Teaching Research Using Online Analysis Tools
Implementing the Approach in My Classes
Strategies for Success
Conclusion
References
17 Teaching Research Design: The Gender and Politics Lab and Reflections on the Lab Model for the Social Sciences
Introduction
Teaching Philosophy
How My Teaching Practice Has Evolved Over Time
How I Moved to a Lab Model of Student Supervision
Activities of the Lab in Relation to the Teaching and Training of Research Design in Political Science
Conclusions
18 Researching & Teaching Political Science Through Arts-Based Inquiry Methods
Responding to Convention
Adopting ABR for the Classroom
Designing for an Undergraduate Senior Seminar
Last Thoughts
References
19 Embedding Feminist Pedagogy in Political Science Research Design with Reflections on Critical Theory and the Social Construction of Reality
Starting with Positivism
Why My Approach Changed
Positivist Political Science is Normative
Positivist Political Science Research Protocol Reifies Inequity
Revisiting Normative Concerns Throughout the Semester
References
20 Black Lady Classroom
Introduction
The Origins of the Black Lady Classroom
The Importance of the Black Lady Classroom
The Pedagogy and Dynamics of Our Black Lady Classroom
Combating Imposter Syndrome
Gaining Clarity for Research Foci
The Long-Lasting Effect of the Black Lady Classroom
References
21 How the Research Design Can Be a Structure, a Process, and a Product for Learning Political Science
Introduction
Teaching How, not just What
Three Premises
Structuring the Learning Process
How We Know What We Know
References
22 The Success of Research Methods at the Department Level
Assessing a Political Science Program
Research Methods as a Department’s Connective Tissue
Research Methods as a year-long Endeavor
References
Part III Teaching Research Methods
23 Traveling Along with an Accidental Academic: Doing and Teaching Research
Becoming an Accidental Academic
Intersectionality of Researcher and Teacher
Principles and Seminar Practices
Do Research. Version 2
My Next Research Seminar: 3.0
Postscript: Research, Teaching, and Pedagogy
References
24 Statistical Skills for the Workplace: A Practical Approach to Teaching Methods with Excel
From Student to Teacher
Understanding the Students’ Needs
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Teaching with Excel
Benefits
Low-Cost/Easily Accessible
Versatile and Diverse Uses
Low-Cost Textbooks Available
Lots of No-Cost, Quality Online Resources
Drawbacks
Data Errors
No Syntax or Easy Way to Save Work for Replication
Cleaning, Recoding, and Labeling Can Be Cumbersome
Mac and PC Versions Are Slightly Different
Google Sheets vs. Excel and Working Together in Real Time
Lessons I’ve Learned Along the Way
People Don’t Know What They Don’t Know
Don’t Overlook the Small (but Useful) Things
Pivot Tables: Students’ Biggest Challenge with Excel
Teaching with Excel Can Be Excellent
References
25 Sneaking in Statistics
26 Pedagogical Recommendations for Applied Statistics Courses
Introduction
My Instructional Journey: From Teaching Assistant to Program Director
Lessons Learned About Developing Impactful Teaching Content
Lesson 1: Incorporate Real-World Examples
Lesson 2: Emphasize Secondary Technical and Soft Skills
Data Cleaning
Data Visualization
Teamwork
Lesson 3: Teach Scientific Writing and Communication
References
27 The Accidental Methodologist
Prologue
(Mostly) Happy Accidents
Relatability
Solving Puzzles
Craft
Epilogue
References
28 From Step-Child to Innovative Leader: Political Science Research Methods Over the Decades
29 Teach Me If You Can: Teaching Political Science Majors Statistics at a Hispanic-Serving Institution
Teach Me If You Can
How to Make Them Read
Basic Tasks to Become a Good Instructor
Secret Ingredients
Conclusion
Reference
30 Excel, in More Ways Than One
Introduction
How I Started the Course
Learning What Works
Conclusion: Excel is the Most Important Thing
References
Part IV Teaching Research Writing
31 Research Articles, Not Research Papers: Empowering Students Through Research Writing
Initial Research-Based Assignments
Research Article Framework
The Ebb and Flow of the Article Writing Process
Research-Based Simulations: An Accessible Pedagogy
Conclusion
32 Integrating Research Writing and Research Methods: Toward a More Seamless Curriculum
The Challenge of Creating a Seamless Curriculum
Different Challenges, Different Strategies
Group A: Triage and Focus
Group B: Triage and Support
Group C: Focus and Supplemental Coaching
Group D: The Value of Supplemental Coaching
Carrying the Writing Forward
Conclusions
References
33 Empowering Students by Teaching Research-Paper Writing as a Foundational Methods Course
Becoming a Convert to Teaching Methods Through Research-Paper Writing
Empowering at the Outset: Seeing the Big Picture, Uncovering Their Preexisting Foundations, and Stressing the Deliberative, Honest Process
Empowering Habits and Mindsets: The Social and Iterative Nature of the Process
Empowerment Through Research-Paper Writing
References
34 From “Good” to “Effective”: Teaching Writing Skills Explicitly in Political Science
Undoing “Good” Writing
How Not to “Cheat”
Tools for Teaching Writing
Building Writing into the Course
Conclusions
References
35 Revising the Revising Process of Writing in Upper Level Political Science Research Methods
Background on the Survey Research Class
Initial Approach to the Class
Understanding the Challenges of Teaching Survey Research
Revising the Course
Revising Course Assignments and Workshop
Conclusion
References
36 Systematic ELA Challenges at Post-secondary Institutions: Why Many Two-Year Students Aren’t Prepared for College-Level Writing
A Sharp Learning Curve
The Expectation Crisis
Unearthing the Paradox
Unintended Impact
Reversing the Trend
Reflecting on My Journey
37 Teaching Research Writing to Undergraduates in Political Science and Public Administration in the Online Environment
Introduction
My Experience
Challenges of Teaching Methods Online
Having Success with Online Learning in Methods
Demystifying the Online Classroom
Demystifying Methods and Writing
Putting Technology to Good Use—Get Acquainted with Using and Training Students on Screencast-O-Matic, Zoom, and Flipgrid
Flip the Online Classroom—Teach Them How to Teach Themselves
Critical Takeaways and Conclusion
References
38 Teaching Methods in the Context of a Writing Intensive Course
Jessica Rich: A Hypocrite
The Building Blocks: Teaching Students How to Read
Teaching Research Design
Soaking and Poking
The Annotated Bibliography
Teaching Research Writing
Writing Case Studies
Writing the Theory Section