Abstract:

In this paper we present the educational experience to provide a quantitative type subject for many years in a degree corresponding to the field of social sciences. The subject to which we refer is "Quantitative Methods applied to Social Sciences", a compulsory subject belonging to the Faculty of Law. It has been taught in the 2nd. year of the Degree in Political Science and Public Administration (PSPA) since the academic year 2010-11 and in the 3rd year of the double degree in Law and Political Science and Public Administration (L-PSPA) since the course 2011-12 at the Pablo de Olavide University (Seville, Spain).
After teaching this subject for the first time in the academic year 2010-11 in the PSPA, we decided to make changes in the teaching-learning process of the subject that would allow us to reduce the high dropout rate from the beginning of the course. The main objective was for students to become familiar with quantitative methods and understand the importance of applying the quantitative techniques studied to real problems related to insertion into the professional world.
In this sense, we can say that a priori the students of the degrees studied are more familiar with subjects in the area of law and policy. To avoid the initial rejection of the subject, from the academic year 2011-12 we have carried out an intense work of motivating the students who attend class in order for them not to abandon the course.

In this context, the teaching team decided to implement a number of methodological and evaluative innovations. To do so, two Innovation Projects were requested from the Pablo de Olavide University. These were granted and implemented with the aim of improving the skills acquired by the students, reducing dropout rates and enhancing their employability in the future.
Also, we wanted to have a more comprehensive profile of students in order to make changes in the teaching-learning process that would allow adapting the content to students' prior knowledge. To do this, in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 academic years we have launched a questionnaire in which we address issues such as educational data prior to joining the university, study habits, managing virtual platform WebCT and the valuation of the subject Quantitative Methods applied to Social Sciences.
Having implemented the Teaching Innovation Projects, we must say that we have reduced the number of students who drop out of the course without actually doing any of the faculty’s tests. There has also been a notable increase in the number of students passing the subject.

Keywords:

Learning, quantitative subject, Innovation Projects.