The Palgrave Handbook of Political Research Pedagogy

This Handbook addresses why political science programs teach the research process and how instructors come to teach these courses and develop their pedagogy. Contributors offer diverse perspectives on pedagogy, student audience, and the role of research in their curricula. Across four sections―information literacy, research design, research methods, and research writing―authors share personal reflections that showcase the evolution of their pedagogy. Each chapter offers best practices that can serve the wider community of teachers. Ultimately, this text focuses less on the technical substance of the research process and more on the experiences that have guided instructors’ philosophies and practices related to teaching it. 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 "The Handbook provides an enjoyable and reflective read about the journeys of colleagues who have taught research and writing. You will be inspired by their wisdom and creativity. Undoubtedly, your own course design and how you approach learning will be impacted." --Janet Box-Steffensmeier, APSA President (2020-21), Distinguished University Professor, The Ohio State University, USA "In this Handbook, instructors will find a diverse and inspiring resource for teaching any course that has a research component. The breadth of personal knowledge in the chapters provide insights into the pedagogical thought process from a variety of perspectives, sparking both ideas for innovative assignments and rethinking of course goals." --Rebecca Glazier, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, USA "How do we thwart the authoritarians? One way is to teach our students to distinguish fact from fiction, quality research from social media rabbit holes. Mallinson, Marin Hellwege, and Loepp, along with their wide-ranging team of scholars, have written a book that should be on the desk of every political science teacher." --Mark Carl Rom, Associate Professor of Government and Public Policy, Georgetown University, USA This Handbook addresses why political science programs teach the research process and how instructors come to teach these courses and develop their pedagogy. Contributors offer diverse perspectives on pedagogy, student audience, and the role of research in their curricula. Across four sections--information literacy, research design, research methods, and research writing--authors share personal reflections that showcase the evolution of their pedagogy and best practices. This text focuses less on the technical substance of the research process and more on the experiences that have guided instructors' philosophies and practices related to teaching it. Daniel J. Mallinson is an Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Administration at Penn State Harrisburg. Julia Marin Hellwege is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of South Dakota. Eric D. Loepp is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater