It is typically assumed that social science students are anxious, confused or intimidated by numbers. However this is far more 'common wisdom' than anything that any robust empirical research has demonstrated. Professor John MacInnes from the University of Edinburgh has been reviewing the evidence and carrying out some preliminary research to see whether so-called 'stats anxiety' is something of a myth. After presenting early findings at the Research Methods Festival 2016, he recorded this interview with Chris Garrington for our Methods Podcast.

'Statistics Anxiety' A Fairy Tale For Our Times? (NCRM) - John MacInnes

The Methods podcast brings you conversations with leading international experts on a wide range of topics related to research methods. The podcast explores methodological innovations, provides practical tips and discusses new challenges and opportunities. The latest series focuses on qualitative longitudinal and mixed methods research and was recorded as part of the EU-funded YouthLife project. The podcast is produced by the National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM), a UK centre that delivers training and resources on research methods, supporting researchers in the social sciences and beyond.

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In this episode of the Methods podcast, host Catherine McDonald talks to Laura Bernardi, Professor of Demography and Sociology of the Life Course within the LIVES Centre at the University of Lausanne. Laura is also the former Deputy Director of the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (LIVES), which studied the effects of the post-industrial economy and society on the development of vulnerability – using a longitudinal and comparative approach.

Laura discusses just how mixed mixed-methods can be, how most research questions relating to change and development over time lend themselves well to longitudinal and mixed methods research, and the importance of establishing and retaining professional parameters with study participants.

This series of the Methods podcast is produced by the National Centre for Research Methods as part of the EU Horizon2020 funded YouthLife project, and is looking at how researchers can do better longitudinal research on youth transitions.

For further information on the YouthLife project, visit www.EUqualimix.ncrm.ac.uk

Laura Bernardi on mixed methods and research questions (NCRM) - Catherine McDonald, Laura Bernardi

In this episode of the Methods podcast, host Catherine McDonald talks to JD Carpentieri, Associate Professor of Social Science and Policy in the Department of Education, Practice and Society at University College London, and an Honorary Research Associate at the Centre for Longitudinal Studies.

JD talks about how qualitative research can add nuance to theory, which questions he feels are best suited to mixed methods longitudinal research and he shares his top tip on keeping participants on board. He also explains how he likes to try different analytic techniques for different studies.

This series of the Methods podcast is produced by the National Centre for Research Methods as part of the EU Horizon2020 funded YouthLife project, and is looking at how researchers can do better longitudinal research on youth transitions.

For further information on the YouthLife project, visit www.EUqualimix.ncrm.ac.uk

JD Carpentieri on qualitative research and theory (NCRM) - Catherine McDonald, JD Carpentieri

In this episode of the Methods podcast, host Catherine McDonald talks to Laura Camfield, Professor of Development Research and Evaluation in the School of International Development at the University of East Anglia.

Laura discusses cross-country comparisons, the importance of theory in relation to mixed methods work and gives her advice around what can and can’t be compared. She also talks about the ethical challenges around presenting project work in regard to recognising younger researchers and other members of the team.

The series of the Methods podcast is produced by the National Centre for Research Methods as part of the EU Horizon2020 funded YouthLife project, and is looking at how researchers can do better longitudinal research on youth transitions.

For further information on the YouthLife project, visit www.EUqualimix.ncrm.ac.uk

Laura Camfield on undertaking cross-national mixed methods research (NCRM) - Catherine McDonald, Laura Camfield

In this episode of the Methods podcast, host Catherine McDonald talks to Dan Woodman, Associate Professor of Sociology at the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne. Dan is an internationally recognised authority on conceptualising generational change and the social conditions impacting our young adults.

Dan discusses explains what drew him to his area of study, why iterative models are so important in longitudinal research and how reciprocity can help reduce attrition. He also talks about his approach to writing and being wary of allowing the data to simply say what you want it to say.

This series of the Methods podcast is produced by the National Centre for Research Methods as part of the EU Horizon2020 funded YouthLife project, and is looking at how researchers can do better longitudinal research on youth transitions.

For further information on the YouthLife project, visit www.EUqualimix.ncrm.ac.uk.

Dan Woodman on mixed and qualitative longitudinal approaches (NCRM) - Catherine McDonald, Dan Woodman

In this episode of the Methods podcast, host Catherine McDonald talk to Jane Gray, Professor of Sociology at the Social Sciences Institute at Maynooth University in Ireland. Jane is the programme leader for the Irish Qualitative Data Archive and played a key role in the development of the Digital Repository of Ireland and her research looks at families, households and social change.

Jane discusses her passion for looking at how individual lives intersect with macro social change and what patterns can be found within that, the range of different approaches she adopts when it comes to analysis and the importance of knowing your audience when it comes to the writing up of your research.

The Methods podcast is produced by the National Centre for Research Methods as part of the EU Horizon2020 funded YouthLife project, and is looking at how researchers can do better longitudinal research on youth transitions.

For further information on the YouthLife project, visit www.EUqualimix.ncrm.ac.uk

'Statistics Anxiety' A Fairy Tale For Our Times? (NCRM) - John MacInnes

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