Research-oriented Studies in Political Science: How Research Collaboration Shapes Southeast European Student Learning Preferences

Abstract

Much of the literature on research-oriented teaching relies on the impressions of instructors who have experimented with such practices. Often authors are enthusiastic. This article shifts the focus to assess student satisfaction with such methods. We hypothesize that a student preference for research-based learning in Political Science would grow out of having a positive research experience during their studies, and that on average this retrospective satisfaction will depend on the nature of the collaboration. Using multicountry survey data spanning eleven institutions, we offer a series of linear models that distinguish three different research experiences: research with their professors, research with their peers, and solo research. Our results indicate that research experience does predicts student preference for research-based learning, but the direction of that pattern depends on whether they performed the research with their professors or other students. Whereas research experiences with other students positively predict a preference for research-oriented teaching, past research collaboration with professors generated a negative assessment, especially among students with no methodological training, and who did not use their involvement in such research projects to improve their methods skills.

Keywords:

• Research-oriented teaching
• research-based learning
• Political Science undergraduates
• research experiences
• survey methodology
• student preferences

Acknowledgements

Under a different title, we initially presented this research at the 17th international conference DisCo 2022, Prague, June 20–21, 2022, as well as the 2nd UBT International Conference in Security Studies, Prishtinë, Kosovë, October 29–30, 2022. We are grateful to Jan Beseda of the DisCo and Gjon Culaj of the UBT ICSS, the conference organizers, respectively, as well as colleagues who commented on our findings. We lacked external funding for this research, so we had to rely on the assistance and help of our families, friends, and colleagues. Our main supporter has been our businessman friend, Xhavit Gashi, who paid for a part of the technology needed to conduct surveys as well as covered much of our field-trip expenses in North Macedonia. Note that Mr. Gashi has no vested interest in the conclusions of our study. Afrim Morina, Egzon Hadërgjonaj, Kujtim Bytyqi, Shkumbin Halabaku, Erblin Shala and Robert Gashi donated digital tablets so we could have the necessary number of tablets when conducting surveys. Also, Afrim Morina and Egzon Hadërgjonaj diligently maintained our technology before, throughout and after that specific fieldwork. Muhamet Krasniqi of the Shpatturs bus company released us from travel fees while traveling with his buses for the purpose of this research. Colleagues in all three countries showed the utmost willingness to help during our field work. Those are Edmond Hajrizi and Artan Mustafa of University for Business and Technology, Kosovo; Valon Murati of Universum College, Kosovo; Adem Beha and Atdhe Hetemi of University of Prishtina, Kosovo; Petrit Bushi of the AAB College, Kosovo; Orinda Malltezi and Blendi Çeka of University of Tirana, Albania; Tonin Gjuraj, Ervis Iljazaj and Besian Zogaj of European University of Tirana, Albania; Adriatik Duda and Shpëtim Cami of Marin Barleti University, Albania; Anastas Angjeli and Kriton Kuçi of Mediterranean University, Albania; Abdulla Azizi, Muhamet Halili, Memet Memeti, and Merita Zulfiu of Southeast European University, North Macedonia; Bashkim Selmani and Llokman Hebibi of University of Tetovo, North Macedonia; and Elisabeta Ollogu-Bajrami of Mother Teresa University, North Macedonia. A special gratitude goes to our colleague and friend, Edmond Çata of the Institute for Albanian Higher Education Studies. Erleta Mato, a fine researcher in her own right, and her husband, science journalist Xhemal Mato, offered accommodation in their Agave village on the Albanian Ionian coast, so we could remain undistracted while writing the paper. The responsibility for any flaws, errors, and misconceptions rests with the authors.

Ethical approval

Since the university where this research was based does not have an IRB, we followed human-subject protection guidelines consistent with the best international standards and in compliance with the APSA Ethical Guidelines.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alfred Marleku

Alfred Marleku is Lecturer of Political Science at the University for Business and Technology, Kosovo. He received his PhD in International Relations from Southeast European University, North Macedonia, but also focuses on teaching methods and pedagogy in Political Science.

Ridvan Peshkopia

Ridvan Peshkopia is Lecturer of Political Science at the University for Business and Technology, Kosovo. He received his PhD in Political Science from the University of Kentucky; he also spent a year as a postdoctoral fellow with the George Washington University. His main research areas research are international relations, political behavior, and migration studies.

D. Stephen Voss

D. Stephen Voss is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kentucky. He earned his PhD, and studied political methodology, at Harvard University with Gary King and James Alt. His main research area is elections & voting behavior, with a focus on race, ethnicity, and cultural politics.