Developing a pedagogical culture in the Social Sciences

HEA Social Sciences Annual Conference - Teaching research methods: Developing a pedagogical culture in the Social Sciences
Date: 23 May 2013 - 24 May 2013
Start Time: 01:00 pm
Location/venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel, St. Nicholas Place, Princes Dock, Pier Head, Liverpool, L3 1QW
The theme for this year's HEA Social Sciences conference builds on the work of the Social Sciences cluster teaching and learning summit, held in June 2012, and develops further the themes for the teaching and learning projects we will be funding through our strategic project. For further details see: http://bit.ly/QaBLK9.
By providing a space in which to communicate insights and examples from practice, the conference will provide an environment in which both challenges can be discussed and possible solutions shared. The HEA’s Social Science Cluster seeks to promote cross-disciplinary working between colleagues in the following disciplines: Accounting; Anthropology; Business and Management Studies; Development Studies; Economics; Education; Finance; Hospitality and Tourism; Sport Science and Leisure Studies; Law; Marketing; Politics and International Studies; and, Sociology.
We welcome contributions (for formats see guidance notes in the related documents section of this webpage) from all the cluster disciples around one of the following areas: 

• Embedding research methods into the curriculum
  One of the issues raised at our teaching and learning summit (see http://bit.ly/Vf1WDR) was whether research methods are best taught as ‘standalone’ modules or integrated into a subject-focused module. We invite contributions that explore either/both of these approaches. In particular we would welcome contributions that include an evaluation of the effectiveness of these approaches. 
• Communicating quantitative methods
  In his presentation to the summit John MacInnes (http://bit.ly/O8mTJ5) reminded us of the potential for quantitative methods to ‘to shock, inspire and challenge complacency’ but he also stated that ‘this will require some creative innovation in how we teach them’.  We invite contributions that outline approaches to teaching quantitative methods that seek to communicate to students, in imaginative and innovative ways, not only how they can use quantitative methods, but why they might want to do so.
•  Teaching mixed methods
  In his presentation to the summit Martyn Hammersley (http://bit.ly/O8mTJ5) highlighted how methodological divisions among social researchers can ‘extend beyond differences in view about how to pursue research to disagreement about its goal and value’. In his discussion paper Martyn addresses further some of the issues teachers face if they attempt to bridge these methodological divisions. We invite contributions that provide examples of practice that seek to engage students in a plurality of approaches to research methods. In particular we would be interested in projects that combine quantitative and qualitative approaches. 
• Assessment for learning in research methods
  Assessment is recognised to be an essential element of the learning process. What is assessed and how it is assessed influences students’ engagement with the curriculum and the opportunities for them to receive feedback on their learning. We invite contributions that identify good practice in the assessment of research methods learning.
•  The use of open educational resources (OER) in research methods teaching
  The proliferation of OER that can be used in research methods teaching and learning has meant that teachers now have access to a wide variety of resources that they can integrate into their module delivery. Often, however, OER are used to provide an ‘off the shelf’ solution to resource provision and the additional potential offered through the re-versioning and subsequent sharing of OER is not realised. We invite contributions that discuss good practice in integrating OER into research methods teaching and/or the re-versioning and sharing of research methods OER. 
  
• Developing a pedagogical culture
  In his presentation to the summit Mark Garner (http://bit.ly/O8mTJ5) highlighted the need to develop a pedagogical culture within the teaching of research methods - ‘the capacity to do research does not automatically translate into the capacity to teach research… pedagogical expertise needs to be specifically developed’.  We invite contributions that discuss examples of good practice in developing such a culture within and between institutions. In particular we would welcome examples of the use of peer-support groups and mentoring both through face-to-face contact and social networking. 
• Researching for ‘work’ and at ‘work’
  Programmes of study in many Social Science disciplines require students to engage in some form of placement or work-based learning.  Often students are required to conduct some form of project work as part of this element of their learning, and whilst this project work can involve using research-related skills, links to research methods teaching are sometimes left implicit. Furthermore, whilst the benefits of placement/work-based learning in terms of developing students’ employability skills are recognised, the benefits of academic input into developing workplace practice are less often articulated.

We invite contributions that discuss projects that incorporate research methods teaching with work-based or placement learning projects and which seek to demonstrate the benefits of this type of learning for students and/or a level of knowledge exchange between educators and employers/placement providers.
The guidance document for submissions is now available from the related documents section of this webpage.
Conference costs and details for booking will be available shortly from this webpage. 
The call will close at 12.00 noon on Friday 4 January 2013
The HEA’s mission is to use our expertise and resources to support the higher education community in order to enhance the quality and impact of learning and teaching. We do this by recognising and rewarding excellent teaching, bringing together people and resources to research and share best practice, and by helping to influence, shape and implement policy.
Contact email: For queries, not bookings: HEA Social Sciences.