As you can imagine, it can be a challenge to convince students that use large quantitative survey datasets to conduct their own analyses, and then equip them with the skills to do it! But, this is exactly what I have been able to do with my 1st year undergraduate students.
By the end of the first year, my students germany rcs data have used UK Data Service teaching survey datasets Understanding Society or the Crime Survey for England and Wales, or other survey data such as the British Social Attitudes Survey, to present findings on a research topic of their choice in an oral group presentation, and write a research report using these data.
For students who thought they were rubbish at Maths, and would never dream of using quantitative data, these are massive achievements.
But this isn’t the end of their quantitative data journey.
In the 2nd year, students are able to apply to be a Q-Step intern over the summer at one of our partner organisations; previous organisations have included AudienceNet, the BBC, The Home Office, Greater Manchester City Council and the UK Data Service.