Overcoming Methods Anxiety: Qualitative First, Quantitative Next, Frequent Feedback Along the Way

Abstract

Political Science research methods courses face two problems. First is what to cover, as there are too many techniques to explore in any one course. Second is dealing with student anxiety around quantitative material. We explore a novel way to approach these issues. Our students began by writing a qualitative paper. They followed with a term paper, on the same topic, that incorporated material learned in the qualitative paper with quantitative data analysis. This helps students appreciate how different methods complement one another. By starting with more familiar qualitative techniques, then moving to the quantitative, and by writing the paper in stages, we help alleviate student anxiety. Students start within their comfort zone, then move outside it once their attention has been piqued by their research question. We offer a multimethod analysis of the advantages and limitations of this approach. While not perfect, it offers another option for teaching this challenging course. We conclude by discussing how to build upon this approach in the future.

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