Methods and statistics positions

[guido]

So, there are a lot of job ads asking for someone who can teach methods and statistics, specialization otherwise open. Now, I'm in a top-20 department, had great training in quantitative methods, and have publications using quantitative methods. But I haven't taught methods or stats. Any tips on applying for these positions? Should I talk in my letter a bit about the courses I've taken, or the methods I use?

I'd feel perfectly comfortable teaching methods and stats to undergrads, and I want to be able to convey that to search committees.

[Search Cmte]

As someone who recently posted one of these specific ads, let me tell you what I believe these positions are looking for from my perspective. Teaching those courses or serving as a teaching assistant in them already would be a great advantage in the search, but evidence of solid teaching of any sociology courses combined with solid methods/stats training would also put you in a good position. Plus there are many other factors that go into the search and ultimately hiring decisions.

I know in the case of our department that we will need someone to step into the rotation of those courses sooner rather than later, but that does not mean you would be necessarily be expected to teach those courses in your first semester. Now, other schools may have a more urgent need to fill those courses, but you should have several months once you get hired to prepare the course, and I would hope your new colleagues (or your existing faculty/peers) could offer some assistance as well.

The great thing about teaching Methods and Stats is that you are not expected to reinvent the wheel - there is a LOT of good material to draw upon, and you certainly have had significant course experience in these areas through your graduate education.

Good luck with the search!

[guido]

Search Cmte --

Thanks for the response. Any tips on how to convey in my cover letter my comfort/confidence in teaching such courses? What would you be looking for in a letter, if the applicant hadn't actually taught such courses?

[me me me]

;D

Hire me Search Cmte!!!!

I worry that since I have ONLY taught methods courses that I will be less attractive for positions that are not necessarily seeking someone to teach methods.

[Tiggy]

Sept 29, 2011 10:25:23 GMT -5 @guido said:

Any tips on how to convey in my cover letter my comfort/confidence in teaching such courses? What would you be looking for in a letter, if the applicant hadn't actually taught such courses?

One thing to improve your candidacy would be to draft a sample syllabus and/or exercises to include in your packet to show you've thought about how you would structure the course even though you haven't taught it.

[methodstats]

I personally think it is important to make a distinction between methods and stats.

To me any sociology PhD should be able to effectively teach methods at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. I would never advocate hiring any candidate who I didn't think could teach methods.

However, not everyone can/should teach statistics, especially grad stats.

OP if you don't have stats or methods teaching expereince then highlight your training and your application of advanced methods in your work. If I see a candidate is using fairly high level stats (beyond regression) in their diss (propensity score matching, IV, HLM/mixed models, advanced demographic methods, simulations, networks etc.) I am willing to assume they know what they are doing.

[Mr Magoo]

Having advanced quantitative research ability is not the same as possessing the ability to teach it. There are many, many (far too many) advanced-level grad students or recent Ph.D.s who can do research using sophisticated statistical methods, but they can't do jack s***t when it comes to teaching it. They are simply not teachers. They either do not have the experience to teach those courses, even though they can apply the methods to their own work, or else they are simply incompetent instructors.

Likewise with research methods.

[methodstats]

Oct 1, 2011 7:24:02 GMT -5 @Mr Magoo said:

Having advanced quantitative research ability is not the same as possessing the ability to teach it. There are many, many (far too many) advanced-level grad students or recent Ph.D.s who can do research using sophisticated statistical methods, but they can't do jack s***t when it comes to teaching it. They are simply not teachers. They either do not have the experience to teach those courses, even though they can apply the methods to their own work, or else they are simply incompetent instructors.

Likewise with research methods.

As opposed to those who don't or more likely can't use those techniques in their research?

Of course using a method doesn't mean one can effectively teach it, however it's the first step in the process. It's a necessary condition though not a sufficient one.

[anonprof]

Using a particular method is not a necessary condition. Getting a computer program to run models is the easy part. The problem is that graduate students fit their two-stage mixed negative binomial model with AR1 standard errors, or whatever, and think that it is hard to do when it is a line or two of code. Anyone can do that and fake methodologists abound. The difficult part is having the necessary background in linear algebra, calculus, probability theory, statistical theory, etc. to understand what you are doing and explain it well.

The majority of sociologists can't analytically calculate p-values, explain ML or IRLS estimators, or explain lots of other regularly used techniques. If you are one of those people then you have no business teaching stats at either the undergrad or grad level. If you can it should come across naturally in your application materials and publications.

[sharp]

I think search committees are also looking for enthusiasm and passion for teaching stats/methods for the long haul. They don't want someone who says they can teach it, but turns out they don't really want to, and continually look for ways out of it once they get there.

[hmmm]

^huh... long haul? and how can they tell that from your application?

[unclekarl]

Well, the best indicator for 'long haul' is that you have taught the course multiple times. Some indicators might be statements like 'teaching statistics helps me to understand and better apply quantitative methods in my own work' OR 'statistics is often dreaded by students, and I look forward to teaching stats courses to develop ways to engage students into the process of learning statistical methods". Using developmental language for teaching indicates a commitment, though you must be sincere about it because it will be very obvious if you are not!