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Key Challenges in Achieving ESRC’s Methods Agenda : A Dialogue Ian Diamond ESRC

Ian Diamond ESRC. Key Challenges in Achieving ESRC’s Methods Agenda : A Dialogue Ian Diamond ESRC. Does Social Science need Social Science Methods?. Social  Science Not merely a societal impersonation of the natural scientific method

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Key Challenges in Achieving ESRC’s Methods Agenda : A Dialogue Ian Diamond ESRC

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  1. Ian Diamond ESRC Key Challenges in Achieving ESRC’s Methods Agenda : A DialogueIan DiamondESRC

  2. Does Social Science need Social Science Methods? • Social  Science • Not merely a societal impersonation of the natural scientific method • But must have methods which are sound and defensible to analyse critically society

  3. Some key features of social science methods • Multiplicity of data types • Multiplicity of units of analysis in space, social structure, social network • Multiplicity of (often unobservable) influences on behaviour • Multiplicity of interested stakeholders • (a priori!!) ease of understanding and undertaking!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. Role of Methods in Social ScienceA Natural Scientific Analogy • Research Development  Use

  5. Why are we here? • Some historical context in ESRC • Econometric Models and special methods eg Multidimensional Scaling • ALCD (not an ESRC programme) • 1996-2003 themes • This programme – some thanks

  6. My overall vision • An established long term programme of methods development appropriate to all the social sciences with an accompanying strategy to translate new and existing methodologies into the wider community.

  7. Should methods development be data led or data requiring? • Both and Neither • Problem led • Problem Data Methods Analysis

  8. Substantive Challenges : The Usual Overview • Social Science Methodology is essentially modelling society • Living with a Model (Holt, 1982) • BUT • Society more complex • Society more mobile • Information more diverse • QN : Throughout this (and future) programmes how have we addressed these challenges?

  9. Original Programme • Has the programme met these objectives? • Entirely • High class research, great development and impeccable dissemination • A special mention for the Festival

  10. Developing the Agenda in the Future • A long term coordinated view fully integrated with ESRC’s overall strategy • Research Challenges • Appropriate Data (Primary and Access) • National Data Strategy • ‘Associated’ National Methodology Centres • NCRM • NCeSS • CEMMAP • People Development • Co-ordinated Evangelism and Communication Approach

  11. Responsive Research Funding • Responsive funding opportunities throughout the academic lifecourse – from first grants to professorial fellowships • Only supporting work of the highest quality. Current success rates are below 20% - our strategic plan commitment is to 25%. • FEC uplifts higher than anticipated - increasing further the pressure on success rates • Providing clear opportunities for innovative and interdisciplinary work

  12. Directed Research • ESRC centrally involved in all RCUK research priorities: • Social science central to work on energy and living with environmental change • Global conflict and security – maximise integration with other key challenges • Ageing, health and wellbeing; Digital economy; Nanoscience • Clear social science lead for ESRC’s other research challenges: • Succeeding in the global economy • Migration and population change • Education • Religion, Ethnicity and Society

  13. Data Challenges • Complex societies need complex solutions • There is no one ‘data set’ • If we are serious need multiple data sources at multiple levels and from multiple types • Longitudinal data are important

  14. Data Challenges 1 : ‘Traditional’ Data • Non – response • Complex populations • Measurement • Eg What is the population of place x at time y (or z or a or b..) ?

  15. ESRC Response • Survey Design and Measurement Programme • New data • UKHLS • Qualitative Longitudinal Survey

  16. Complex and Multiple Datasets • Flexibility and Imagination • Blue sky thinking • Integrated strategy with other stakeholders

  17. Data Challenge 1 : Obesity

  18. Data Challenge 2 : Courtesy of Carol Dezateux

  19. Steps being taken • ESRC/MRC/Wellcome Birth Cohort Laboratory • Positive Links with ONS, Other government departments • Wellcome/MRC/ESRC/EPSRC e-health initiative • OSCHR e-health Board

  20. Challenges to achieving Vision • Culture • Methodology • Acceptability and availability • RCUK public engagement survey, Wellcome monitor • UKDA • Ethics • Big (but achievable) Challenges around Admin Records – need stakeholder involvement • Technology • Secure Data Service Call • Coordinated links with e-social science

  21. Continued and Sustained Methods Development • NCRM – continued funding • New Nodes • Qualitative Methods • Analysis of Multiple Sources and Structures • Simulation • Administrative Data • Social Statistical Methods • NCeSS • New Nodes across a range of topics • Challenges : Extending the reach Links with NCRM

  22. Other related initiatives • Census Programme • DFID/ESRC • Response Mode • Evaluation Methods

  23. Methodology Challenges • Maximising the integrated benefits of survey data, admin data and ‘born digital’ data • Integrating qualitative and quantitative data (Cooper, Diamond and High, 1993) • Integrated analysis of data at different levels and with different structures (data which are qualitative, quantitative or both) • ???????????????????????

  24. Developing the Human Base • A true lifecourse increase in methodological skills • Need integrated lifelong learning strategies • What is our vision? • A Cadre of methodologists • A Subpopulation of Leading Edge Analysts • A Population of Methodologically Literate Stakeholders

  25. Developing the Human BaseA Cadre of Methodologists • Targeted Quotas in Methodology • Linked Studentships in NCRM Nodes • Targeted Postdoc Competition • 14 Postdocs in NCRM Nodes • Challenges • Careers for Methodologists • Post 2008? • Substantive Challenge : estimating bias in bibliometrics

  26. Developing the Human BaseA Subpopulation of Analysts • Quotas in quantitative social science • Improving Undergraduate Teaching of QM • Parker Report • UPTAP • RDI • Training Programmes eg Lancaster, Surrey • Challenge : Stakeholder buy in

  27. Developing the Human BaseA Population of Literate Stakeholders • Undergraduate Programmes • Training Programmes • Schools Programme • Beacons in Public Engagement • Civil Service Core Competencies

  28. Impact • People • Software • Training

  29. Role of Methods in Social ScienceA Natural Scientific Analogy • Research Development  Use

  30. “Many of the major challenges facing us in the 21st century are all social science in nature”

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