Learning-by-Doing: Teaching Qualitative Methods in DC

Abstract

Learning-by-doing presents an opportunity for political science departments to instruct undergraduate students in social science research methods. Conducting these trainings as short-term, high impact programs have the potential to make research and research methods accessible and appealing to students. Building these opportunities around major political events transforms these opportunities for learning further still, such as heightening student interest in research methods. Rooted in these considerations, we designed and implemented the Qualitative Methods and the 2017 Presidential Inauguration Research Program. The program was a condensed qualitative research methods training experience that incorporated field work, conducted in spring 2017. This article offers lessons for innovating on undergraduate methods training though experiential learning.

Keywords:

• Research-based learning
• qualitative
• political learning
• undergraduate research
• high impact learning

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Natasha Duncan

Dr. Natasha Duncan is the Associate Dean for International Education and Affairs in the Honors College at Purdue University. She is a political scientist by training and teaches courses rooted in international relations and that examine state and non-state actors’ interactions with borders. Her areas of research focus on international migration, particularly the role of the state in migration processes wherein the state acts as final arbiter for entry and exit, determines the parameters of stay, and its attempts to engage citizens abroad.

Nadia Brown

Nadia E. Brown (Ph.D., Rutgers University) is a University Faculty Scholar and Associate Professor of Political Science and African American Studies at Purdue University. She specializes in Black women’s politics and holds a graduate certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies. Dr. Brown’s research interests lie broadly in identity politics, legislative studies, and Black women’s studies. While trained as a political scientist, her scholarship on intersectionality seeks to push beyond disciplinary constraints to think more holistically about the politics of identity.