On 25 June, the specialist group (SG) held a research workshop on research methods for doctoral research students and early career academics, which provided a rich source of information and sharing of ideas between attendees. The research workshop began with a look at three different approaches: qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods.
First, Emma Crewe from SOAS spoke to us about the value of ethnographic methods to study organisations, specifically legislatures and parliaments, by drawing in particular on her recent work on the UK Parliament. One important factor involved in ethnographic research is the role of gatekeepers in research: individuals that may open – but may also shut – doors to potential interviewees, sites and data. Her presentation is available if you click here.
Not just a method, but a theoretical framework for an approach to study parliament, @_Emma_Crewe in #ParlMethods workshop.
— C Leston-Bandeira (@estrangeirada) June 25, 2015
After Emma Crewe’s talk, we heard from Peter Allen (Queen Mary), who drew on his PhD to discuss the added value of quantitative data. Often, academics make the mistake that they assume data is already out there, pre-packaged, and waiting analysis by legislative scholars. Data is often not available how we want it. We need to create the data, or find it ourselves, before we can collect and analyse it. His slides are available if you click here.
All speakers noted that every methodological technique has it’s uses – but also has some challenges. Mixing methods is therefore a crucial step to make sure information is accurate, reliable and insightful. This brings us nicely to Louise Thompson (Surrey), who spoke about the added benefits of mixed-methods. Her slides are available if you click here.
.@LouiseVThompson: Key advantage of quantifying otherwise written data – it allows you to convey big ideas in simple terms #parlmethods
— PSA Parliaments (@psa_parl) June 25, 2015
Big issue for mixed methods approach is working out how to categorise qualitative information into quantitative data. #parlmethods
— PSA Parliaments (@psa_parl) June 25, 2015
After the talks, we had time for a Q&A, which developed into a discussion about coding the difficulties associated with this. This was followed by a general discussion about challenges facing doctoral researchers studying parliaments and legislatures.
Finally, there was a talk from Parliamentary Outreach about possible engagement between researchers, universities and the UK Parliament. Their slides have also been made available, which you can access if you click here.
Overall, the workshop was well-received, if Twitter is anything to go by:
Really useful #ParlMethods workshop by @psa_parl today. Data, ethnography, quants, impact & more. Thanks @estrangeirada & @LouiseVThompson!
— Daniel Gover (@DanielGover) June 25, 2015
Stimulating #parlmethods workshop today, run by @psa_parl - Good to see some well kent faces, and to meet some new ones. #phdchat
— Dr Steven MacGregor (@politicsphd) June 25, 2015
Great workshop on methods for studying parliaments in Leeds today. @psa_parl building a good community of parliament scholars #ParlMethods
— Mark Goodwin (@MarkRGoodwin) June 25, 2015
Additionally, one of the attendees, David Bender (Hull), has written a short summary of his experience at the workshop, which is available here.
We have also used Storify to disseminate the workshop, available if you click here.