Why we need social research students to engage explicitly with methods pedagogy, to enhance learning engagement
Teaching research methods is difficult. This paper is situated in a context where undergraduate and postgraduate social science methods teaching in the UK, as in much of the world tends to be delivered as separate quantitative and qualitative courses, sometimes with an additional research design course. In this piece I argue firstly, that teaching a combination of knowledge and skills, makes methods learning environments unique within our institutions. Secondly, students need help to shift towards a new way of approaching their learning. Finally, I explore the differences in pedagogical approach between quantitative and qualitative methods and how students benefit from this being made explicit. The tree analogy is introduced as a teaching device. This paper will explore how it helps students who have not studied methods before, or who lack confidence in prior learning, to understand the pedagogy behind the learning environment, and thus, help them engage with the learning.