100 Activities for Teaching Research Methods

Dr Catherine Dawson is a freelance researcher and writer, specializing in study skills, research methods and digital research methods. She writes books aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students, and at university educators. She also writes online courses in study skills, research methods and digital research methods.  Catherine studied at university in the United Kingdom for an undergraduate degree in Combined Humanities, a master’s degree in Social Research and a PhD researching the learning choices of adults returning to education. She has worked as a research assistant, research associate and educator at various UK universities and as a research and training officer in both the public and private sectors. Over the years she has developed and taught research methods courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students and has designed and delivered bespoke research methods courses to employees in the private sector.

• INTRODUCTIONSECTION 1: FINDING AND USING SOURCES OF INFORMATIONActivity 1: Distinguishing between Primary and Secondary SourcesActivity 2: Finding and Using Primary SourcesActivity 3: Improving Observation SkillsActivity 4: Assessing Prior Experience and LearningActivity 5: Reflecting on Your Enquiry SkillsActivity 6: Using the Internet for Background ResearchActivity 7: Evaluating SourcesActivity 8: Recognizing Statistics, Facts, Arguments and OpinionsActivity 9: Discovering Questionable Statistics Published OnlineActivity 10: Managing Critiques and ReviewsActivity 11: Critiquing Quantitative Research PapersActivity 12: Critiquing Qualitative Research PapersActivity 13: Evaluating Science in the MediaActivity 14: Recognizing Media and Political BiasActivity 15: Recognizing Research(er) BiasSECTION 2: PLANNING A RESEARCH PROJECTActivity 16: Choosing a Research TopicActivity 17: Producing Aims and ObjectivesActivity 18: Developing a Research QuestionActivity 19: Designing a Research ProjectActivity 20: Choosing Research MethodsActivity 21: Using Multiple or Mixed ApproachesActivity 22: Knowing About Probability SamplesActivity 23: Knowing About Non-Probability (Purposive) SamplesActivity 24: Choosing Sample SizeActivity 25: Avoiding Sampling ProblemsActivity 26: Justifying Your Research TopicActivity 27: Defending MethodologyActivity 28: Costing a Research ProjectActivity 29: Producing and Justifying Your BudgetActivity 30: Producing a Research ProposalActivity 31: Obtaining FundingActivity 32: Working Collaboratively With OthersSECTION 3: CONDUCTING RESEARCHActivity 33: Understanding the Process of ScienceActivity 34: Knowing About Real-World Scientific ResearchActivity 35: Avoiding Mistakes in ExperimentsActivity 36: Undertaking Ethnographic WorkActivity 37: Conducting InterviewsActivity 38: Constructing QuestionsActivity 39: Producing an Interview ScheduleActivity 40: Running a Focus GroupActivity 41: Establishing RapportActivity 42: Listening to IntervieweesActivity 43: Understanding Group DynamicsActivity 44: Recording TechniquesActivity 45: Using Observation TechniquesActivity 46: Using Visual MethodsActivity 47: Designing QuestionnairesActivity 48: Administering QuestionnairesActivity 49: Improving Response RatesActivity 50: Using the Internet as a Tool for ResearchSECTION 4: USING AND ANALYSING DATAActivity 51: Reading Scientific MaterialActivity 52: Improving Data Search TechniquesActivity 53: Storing and Using DataActivity 54: Making Use of StatisticsActivity 55: Choosing Software for Statistical AnalysisActivity 56: Finding and Using DatasetsActivity 57: Analysing Quantitative DataActivity 58: Operationalizing and ClassifyingActivity 59: Ensuring Validity and Reliability in Quantitative ResearchActivity 60: Understanding Data ManagementActivity 61: Analysing Qualitative DataActivity 62: Analysing Visual DataActivity 63: Coding and Categorizing Qualitative DataActivity 64: Evaluating Qualitative AnalysesActivity 65: Drawing Conclusions from Qualitative DataActivity 66: Knowing About Data ProtectionSECTION 5: DISSEMINATING RESULTSActivity 67: Presenting to a Lay AudienceActivity 68: Dealing With the MediaActivity 69: Presenting Conference PapersActivity 70: Writing Journal PapersActivity 71: Disseminating via Social MediaActivity 72: Publishing OnlineActivity 73: Writing an Impact StatementActivity 75: Planning and Writing a DissertationActivity 74: Overcoming Writer′s BlockSECTION 6: ACTING ETHICALLYActivity 76: Recognizing Ethical IssuesActivity 77: Understanding Legal RequirementsActivity 78: Avoiding PlagiarismActivity 79: Producing a Code of EthicsActivity 80: Understanding Issues of Informed ConsentActivity 81: Treating Participants with RespectActivity 82: Avoiding Conflict of InterestActivity 83: Understanding Biased Financial RelationshipsActivity 84: Recognizing and Managing the Funding EffectActivity 85: Knowing about the Ethical Approval ProcessActivity 86: Collaborating and Co-Operating EthicallyActivity 87: Conducting Research that Involves RiskActivity 88: Conducting Research with Vulnerable PeopleActivity 89: Conducting Research with ChildrenSECTION 7: DEVELOPING DEEPER RESEARCH SKILLSActivity 90: Knowing About Epistemology and OntologyActivity 91: Asking Epistemological QuestionsActivity 92: Understanding MethodologyActivity 93: Asking Methodological QuestionsActivity 94: Locating Epistemological and Methodological StandpointActivity 95: Understanding Theoretical PerspectiveActivity 96: Reasoning Inductively and DeductivelyActivity 97: Recognizing Problems with ReasoningActivity 98: Hypothesizing and TheorizingActivity 99: Generating Theory Inductively and DeductivelyActivity 100: Identifying Effective Theory

Catherine′s book is a fantastic resource for anyone who is teaching research methods in the social sciences. Covering all aspects of the research process, it is packed full of innovative ideas, useful tips, and structured activities for use within the classroom. If you are a tutor, teacher, or lecturer who is looking to provide interesting and engaging content for your students, this book is an absolute ′must have′.