Quantitative Methods Initiative
A key part of ESRC's research methods strategy is to combat the skills deficit in quantitative research methods across the social science research base. The ESRC has been working in collaboration to develop a strategy to address the current shortages. More recently these efforts have been given added momentum through significant co-funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).
The strategy recognises that there is a need to enhance quantitative skills across the full breadth of the 'educational lifecourse', from building new capacity at the undergraduate level to refreshing the quantitative skills of mid-career academics that teach undergraduates and supervise PhD students ('training the trainers').
For further details, see the National Strategy for Building a World Class Social Science Research Base in Quantitative Methods (PDF, 107Kb).
About the Quantitative Methods Initiative
The Quantitative Methods Initiative aims to:
- create a comprehensive and co-ordinated training framework in quantitative methods at each level of the educational lifecourse
- integrate training to create a national training infrastructure which builds quantitative skills development at each stage of the educational lifecourse
- create a framework which is flexible enough to meet the particular skill requirements of individual researchers.
Undergraduate activities
Undergraduate pilot projects
To date much of the work on the undergraduate activities strand of the strategy has involved evidence gathering and pilot studies. In 2006, the ESRC commissioned a series of pilot projects specifically focused on testing new and different approaches to teaching quantitative methods, to establish which are most effective. Details of the projects are given below:
- Increasing the Use of Large Scale Social Surveys in Undergraduate Dissertations in the Social Sciences: a Pilot Project
- The Development of Undergraduate Curricula in Quantitative Methods
- SIMPLE: Statistics Instruction Modules with Purposeful Learning Emphasis - Hierarchical Modular Curricula Using Problem- and Practice-Based Learning
- Enhancing the Integration of Quantitative Methods Skills in Undergraduate Social Sciences Curricula
- Increasing the Use of Quantitative Methods in Social Science Undergraduate Dissertations
Strategic Advisor on the undergraduate teaching of quantitative methods in the social sciences
Prof John MacInnes, University of Edinburgh was appointed in January 2009, to develop a coherent programme of activity aimed at enhancing undergraduate teaching of quantitative methods across the social sciences. The programme builds upon the undergraduate pilot projects. Evaluation of these projects will help shape the direction of the programme. His main tasks included the scoping of best practice, analysis of the undergraduate curricula pilot projects and consultation and networking with funders and stakeholders.
The ESRC received the final report from Prof MacInnes in December 2009:
Social Science by Numbers: Careers with quantitative methods
This guide aims to encourage social science students to use quantitative methods in their studies and careers:
Postgraduate activities
Enhanced stipend scheme
Since 2006 the ESRC has provided an enhanced stipend for students whose postgraduate training is focused on the use of advanced quantitative methods. The aim of the enhanced stipend has been to support recruitment by encouraging a greater volume of good quality students to train in the use of quantitative tools and techniques and then apply them in their doctoral studies.
Mid-career reskilling
WISERD is an interdisciplinary research centre co-funded by the ESRC and the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW). It draws together and builds on the existing expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods and methodologies at Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth, Bangor and Glamorgan universities. WISERD will embark on an ambitious data integration, primary research and capacity building programme in Wales.
In July 2009, the Applied Quantitative Methods Network (AQMeN) in Scotland was created. AQMeN is co-funded by ESRC and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). The network aims to embed the existing expertise in Scotland through a planned programme of continuing professional development.
Links with other research resources
The National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) plays an essential role in the strategy to enhance the general skills base in research methods. NCRM is a network of research groups, each conducting research and training in an area of social science research methods.
Activities supported under the Researcher Development Initiative (RDI) since 2005 include a range of generic and subject-specific projects focused on advanced and specialist training in quantitative methods, for example, longitudinal data analysis, multi-level modelling and micro-economic forecasting.
The previous Survey Link Scheme and Survey Design and Measurement Initiative projects were integrated into the Survey Resources Network (SRN) in November 2008.
Consultancy reports
- Scoping Study to Identify Quantitative Methods Capacity Building Needs in Scotland Report (PDF, 444Kb)
- Scoping Study to Identify Quantitative Methods Capacity Building Needs in Wales Report (PDF, 218Kb)
- International Benchmarking Review of Best Practice in the Provision of Undergraduate Teaching in Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences - Final Report (PDF, 511Kb)
Download the Quantitative Methods Initiative information sheet (PDF, 159Kb)
Further information
- Rachel Tyrrell, ESRC
Email: rachel.tyrrell@esrc.ac.uk
Telephone: 01793 444518
