Centre for Professional Development and Lifelong Learning

Research

Costly mistakes can be made when key decisions are made on the basis of one’s industry or business experience rather on the findings of new and relevant research.  However, there is a dearth of research expertise within Caribbean organisations.  The research courses developed by CPDLL are designed to develop skills in the identification of research objectives, research design, both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and data analysis and presentation. Since specialists will teach research methods from the ground up, no previous experience or training will be required for beginners’ level courses.

Research

Practical Research for Policy and Government Professionals

Practical Research for Policy and Government Professionals

Overview

Research is essential to meaningful planning and policy development in the public sector. Well-executed research significantly enhances the probability of accurate definition of stakeholder issues and challenges and facilitates the identification of robust solutions for all key stakeholder groups. This course seeks to develop critical competencies in the scientific and practical execution of policy-based and government research for various service and operational areas. These competencies will range from the development of research objectives and the crafting of research designs and plans, to the implementation of various research methodologies and other related research procedures to assist in policy-formulation and execution.

Mode of Delivery: Face-to-Face

What will I Learn?

On successful completion of the course, delegates would be able to:

  • Develop practical research plans and proposals
  • Develop critical research objectives and questions for different contexts
  • Identify, design and execute various research methodologies to gather scientific data for organisational decision-making
  • Interact with key data analysis software packages to analyse research data for policy development  

Who Should do this Course

Delegates should be currently operating in the public service or government sector (e.g. agencies/Ministries/departments across the civil service; Statutory Boards) in the capacities linked to policy formulation and execution, research and data analysis.
 

Important Information

  • The course fee includes lunch daily.
  • Delegates must attain a grade of at least 70% in order to receive the Professional Development Certificate of Competence. Oral Presentations (40%) Group Project work (60%)

At a Glance

  • Admissions Term: 2020/2021 Semester I
  • Date: TBA
  • Time: Tuesday to Thursday, 9am - 4pm
  • Duration: 3 days (18 hours)
  • Certificate Awarded: Professional Development Certificate of Competence
  • Course Code: PDLL 100
  • CEUs: 1.8
  • Capacity: 20
  • Cost: BDS $2,375 (US $1,187.50)

The topics covered in this course are as follows:

  • Understanding Research
  • Research Process
  • Developing Research Topics and Objectives
  • Designing Research Instruments (e.g. survey instruments and interview protocols)
  • Sampling Approaches
  • Primary and Secondary Data-Collection Procedures (e.g. surveys and focus groups)
  • Assessing and Interpreting Statistical Data using Software
  • Policy Building based on Research Evidence
Participants do not need any formal undergraduate and postgraduate educational requirements.  However, participants should be currently operating in the public service or government sector (e.g. agencies/Ministries/departments across the civil service; Statutory Boards) in the capacities linked to policy formulation and execution, research and data analysis. 

Interactive Lectures, Classroom Discussions, Cooperative Group Work
 

Dwayne Devonish, PhD

Dwayne Devonish is Senior Lecturer in Management Sciences at the University of the West Indies. He has specialised training in research methodology and analysis and has published over 30 research papers on management and business subjects.