The University of Nottingham is offering a new programme of advanced training in quantitative methods for the Social Sciences for Midlands-based HEIs. These Methods ‘Clinics’ offer a:
- unique blend of intensive 2-day face-to-face training courses supported by an accompanying e-learning module including course materials and continued online support from course tutors.
- flexible, individualised programme – courses are available singly or as a programme of study.
- wide-ranging programme – topics include statistical reasoning; causal inference; data theory and measurement models; multivariate regression and segmentation analysis; handling missing data; modelling interdependent observations; computer-aided text analysis.
- multi-disciplinary scope – clinics typically attract participants from Politics, Social Sciences, Law, Business, Economics, Nursing, Psychology, Community Health, Geography and Education
- regional focus – the clinic cycle is designed to both develop individual quantitative skills and to establish a network of methods trainers in the Midlands, culminating in a conference on teaching methods in early 2009.
Programme
The clinics can be taken in two ways:
- Whilst we would encourage researchers to take all the modules so that they can develop a broad ‘repertoire’ of quantitative skills, modules can also be taken on a single ‘one-off’ basis.
- We are pleased to be able to offer a limited number of subsidised places (five) on the programme of clinics for more ’specialist’ local HEI representatives involved in teaching research methods on a buy-out basis. These representatives would be required to attend at least six clinics but the ‘buy-out’ will cover some of the costs associated with this person operating outside of his or her institution for that period. This would be a development opportunity for the interested individual. The aim would be that the representative could act as a methods ‘champion’ across the region, promoting the ‘repertoire’ of quantitative skills within their own HEI but also the ‘blended’ learning approach the programme will be adopting. These buy-out places will be available on a first-come first-served basis.
The clinic programme is designed for academics who teach research methods, researchers with significant existing experience wishing to update or widen their methods repertoire, and early career researchers or research postgraduates who need training in particular advanced methods for their work. If you fall into at least one these categories and have a basic understanding of probability, estimation and hypothesis testing, then contact us for more information.
To register your interest in these courses please fill in our application form. Enquiries should be directed to pg-training@nottingham.ac.uk
Availability
Each of the clinics has a limited number of places, which varies according to specific logistical requirements, but which will in general not exceed 30 participants. Places are available on a first-come first-served basis, but in order to promote adequate distribution across HEIs this will be applied within constraints outlined below (see fee waivers and subsidised places). For admission, priority will be given to academics and PhD students of Midlands-based HEIs, and to applicants who intend to take part in several clinics.
Fees
The full cost for participation in each of the clinics of the programme is usually £500 per person. However, participants from HEIs (members of academic staff and PhD students) can apply for full or partial fee waivers, or for subsidies to facilitate their participation. Conditions are outlined below.
Fee waiver places
Full fee waivers: ESRC funding has enabled us to offer a limited number of full fee waivers to Midlands-based academics and postgraduate students. If awarded, no contribution to the costs of attending a clinic will apply. These full fee waivers will be granted on a first-come first-served basis to qualifying applicants, up to two full fee waivers per Midlands HEI, while any remaining places will be allocated as available irrespective of HEI.
Partial fee waivers: In addition to full fee-waivers, a limited number of partial fee waivers are available, which reduce the fee to £120 per person per clinic. PhD students should be aware that most HEIs have allocated funds for their participation in such training; they are advised to contact the Director of Postgraduate Research of their School/Institute/University.
Applications for a full or partial fee waiver can be made electronically by completing the online application form. The following conditions apply for qualifying for a full or partial fee waiver: being a member of academic staff or a registered PhD student at a Midlands-based ESRC-recognised HEI; sufficient basic training in social science research methods. Priority will be given to applicants who can demonstrate involvement in teaching/tutoring social research methods.
Subsidised places
ESRC funding has enabled us to offer 5 subsidised places, which are offered on a first-come-first-served basis to academics able to transfer and ‘champion’ the knowledge gained on the programme to their own teaching of social science research methods at a Midlands-based HEI. No more than one trainer place will be offered to each HEI. Award of a trainer place will cover clinic fees in full and a payment to the home school or institute which is expected to offset some of the costs of releasing the staff member (‘staff buyout’) to attend the clinic. The subsidy amounts to approximately £690 per clinic. The offer of a subsidised place is at the discretion of the organising panel. Priority will be given to applicants who intend to participate in at least 6 clinics.
