Workshop Report

Pilot Research Methodology Training Workshop for Civil Society Actors in Ghana

23rd to 24th May 2008, Accra, Ghana

Contents 1.0 Background 1.1 2.0 Justification 3 3 4 5 5 6 8 8 9

Introduction 2.1 2.2 Objectives Expected Outcomes

3.0 4.0 5.0

Training Areas Conclusion The way forward

Appendix: List of Participants and Trainers

1.0

BACKGROUND

The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) was established by Open Society Initiative of West Africa (OSIWA) to enhance the capacity of civil society organisations (CSOs) through training, research, documentation, and policy dialogue. The Institute trains national and regional civil society actors in policy analysis, advocacy, influencing and effective research and documentation skills. The rationale for strengthening civil society lies in the fact that civil society in West Africa is an important partner in the promotion of good governance, democracy, peacebuilding and participatory development processes.

In West Africa, many civil society organisations operate with weak intellectual bases. A training needs assessment carried out by WACSI revealed that staff members in CSOs lack basic research and analytical skills which hinders them from actively engaging in policy debates as well as contributing to the advancement of knowledge among civil society organisations. Furthermore, it was reiterated that documentation skills within the CSO sector is inadequate. In this assessment civil society actors requested that WACSI develop the research methodology and application capability of CSOs in this area.

The training needs assessment highlighted that research outputs from CSOs within the region are often flawed and lack the proper methodological basis. Other research challenges in the region include inadequate knowledge in exploratory research, data collection analysis and reporting, conceptualisation and methodological approaches among others. CSOs also lack the ability to document or articulate the impact of their activities resulting in the diminished appreciation of the contribution of CSOs in the region.

1.1

JUSTIFICATION

The research capacity gaps identified in the training needs assessment carried out by WACSI highlights the importance of strengthening the research capacity of CSOs to assist them in identifying critical issues related to their work. In the words of our facilitator, Robert Hinson;

A lot of organisations in Ghana...are struggling because in the general conduct of their business, they have not quite understood the pivotal role research plays in achieving their various objectives

This workshop was designed to develop the skills of participants in empirical research processes, project conceptualisation, documentation techniques, and the dissemination of research to critical actors and the enhancement of the monitoring and evaluation capacity of CSOs.

2.0

INTRODUCTION

WACSI organised a two day training workshop on research methodology with the aid of three facilitators from the University of Ghana Business School (U.G.B.S). The facilitators were Mr. Robert Hinson, Dr. Charles Adjasi and Mr. Mahama Braimah. The workshop was held at the WACSI Secretariat, Accra from the 23rd to the 24th of May. This was the first research methodology training workshop the Institute had organised for civil society actors in Ghana. The overall goal of the workshop was to enhance the research and documentation skills of the next generation civil society actors. Research is considered the most important catalyst in the work of CSOs and NGOs in that it:

1. Should be the basis for the start of all CSO and NGO projects 2. Should be the basis for all monitoring and evaluation frameworks 3. Informs decision making at the strategic, operational and tactical levels of every NGO and CSO 4. Brings clarity to decision making, eliminating fuzziness and improving credibility in the CSO and NGO network 5. Helps to immediately spot deviance and helps to remedy potential bad situations 6. Helps you to better segment your business 7. Makes you attractive to funding agencies because people understand your logic

2.1

OBJECTIVES Enhance participants research design and report writing skills To improve the participants writing skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods and techniques of data collection and analysis. Expose participants to the operational aspects of development research. For each participant to practice writing a concept brief.

The specific objectives of the meeting were to:

2.2

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

By the end of the workshop, it was expected that deliberations will lead to: Enhancement of qualitative and quantitative research design skills. Improvement in CSO capacity to monitor and evaluate their programmes

The methodology of the workshop encompassed presentations and brainstorming sessions and discussions. The meeting commenced with the executive Director of WACSI giving an introductory address. To quote her, she entreated the participants to... ...leave here with skills that will be useful for you in your daily work The participants were then asked to introduce themselves and highlight on the mandate of their respective organisations. The workshop was designed to encourage the exchange of ideas between participants and the trainers, and the Director of WACSI encouraged the participants to... ...feel free to stop the facilitators throughout the training if you feel that the areas they are facilitating are not addressing your needs or you will like them to expand on a particular area The trainers approached the training sessions in a participatory and practical manner.

3.0

TRAINING AREAS

Four aspects of research were presented by the trainers in a participatory and lively manner. These areas include: 1. Introduction to Policy Research: In this session, policy research was defined and classified. The policy research process was explained within the context of civil society organisations. In addition, the trainers reiterated the importance of defining the research problem, the process of defining a problem and the development of an approach. The environmental context of the problem and the components of an approach were explained thoroughly. Furthermore, the trainer highlighted on a service quality standard framework that could be used during the conceptualisation of projects and programs. Participants discussed how their various fields of work and how it fits into a broader marketing research framework. This area was facilitated by Robert Hinson.

2. Defining the Marketing Research Problem: The session included a discussion focussed on developing an understanding of the nuances of defining a research problem. This included the processes and tasks of defining a problem and developing an approach. The environmental context of the problem was also treated by Mr. Mahama Braimah.

3. Research Design: This session involved the definition and classification of research design, an exhaustive description of exploratory and descriptive research and potential sources of research error. In respect of research design, Dr. Adjasi noted that: ...once we have identified the problem...we can organise the problem such that...we can do a step-by-step or logical analysis and then draw conclusions Various aspects of data were also discussed including primary and secondary data. The merits and demerits of the two types of data were explained and
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demonstrated. The differences between qualitative and quantitative research were highlighted on including the various approaches. This section of the seminar was facilitated by Dr. Charles Adjasi.

4. Exploratory Research Methods: This session began with a differentiation between Primary data and Secondary data. It then followed with evaluation and classifications of Secondary data. The facilitator also explained the pros and cons of using secondary data. The second part of this session involved qualitative primary data usage and the justifications for using qualitative procedures. This session was co-facilitated by Robert Hinson and Mahama Braimah.

5. Quantitative Research Methods: The trainer comprehensively highlighted on various survey methods and methods of sampling. The trainer adopted a practical approach by illustrating how quantitative data was used by taking the participants through various forms of software (Stata and Microsoft Excel) and methodologies. This section was facilitated by Dr. Charles Adjasi.

6. Report Preparation and Presentation: The importance of reports and the accurate presentation was elucidated. Participants were given a task. This task involved the formulation of a concept brief. The various components of a concept brief were discussed. The trainer emphasised the importance of good oratory and writing skills as important components of civil society work. In addition, the trainer illustrated the importance of consistently conducting research follow-ups. This section was facilitated by Robert Hinson. 7. Assignment: At the end of Day 1, participants were given an assignment to write concept papers in respect of their peculiar CSO/NGO engagements. At the start on Day 2, participants were divided into 3 groups and each group had to decide on the best concept paper to be presented to the class. A member of each group presented the selected concept paper on behalf of their group.
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4.0

CONCLUSION

WACSI is in the process of evaluating this pilot training programme to ascertain the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, as well as impact of the programme and the gains to be consolidated and orientations to be modified. Initial remarks from the participants have been extremely positive as many have expressed the relevance and importance of the workshop to their specific areas of work. Presentations were assessed by the rest of the class and the facilitators. Obvious and latent shortfalls in the respective concept papers were pointed and advice was proffered on how these shortfalls might be addressed in future writing assignments.

5.0

THE WAY FORWARD

It was apparent from the training that civil society organizations who participated in the training gained a fine appreciation of the importance of research methods to the civil society enterprise. It might however be useful to run this course once every year in addition to two related courses on qualitative and quantitative research methods. This will allow civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations working in partnership with WACSI, to gain the most holistic perspective on research methods for the development and enhancement of civil society initiatives.

Appendix: List of Participants and Trainers Name

Christopher Dapaah Emmanuel Nuetey Siakwa Selasi Sosu Patrick Kudiabor Justice Agbanyo George Osei-Bimpeh Charles K. Vandyck Joseph M. Agbeko Gima H. Forje Beatrice Amoah Gabriella S. Kyerekoh Emmanuel Lamptey

Organisation/Institution
Resource Link Foundation Youth and Women Empowerment Womens Arts Institute APPLE-Rural Project C.K. Mann Charity Foundation WACSI WACSI FARIAD WACSI MFWA WAPCAS FFP

Email Address
chrisdapaah@yahoo.com nuetsiak@yahoo.com info@waiafrica.org kudfree@gmail.com ckmann@yahoo.com bimpeh@yahoo.com chuckvandyck@gmail.com info@fairiver.org gforge@wacsighana.org abeboat@yahoo.com Gabbie.kyerekoh@hru-ghs.org emma@ffpnet.org

Phone Number
0244-547-417 0244-443-325 0244-258-221 0242-179-395 0207-246-510 0246-784-896 0243-128-605 0243-107-106

0277-454-450 0277-432-234 0207-825-542

Abudu Imoro Elizabeth Adubofuor Abdul Yacub Ethel Sakitey Caroline Everlove Tetteh Georgina Meyer Robert Hinson Dr. Charles Adjasi Mahama Braimah

Afro Global Alliance Window of Hope Zongo Youth Foundation Pro Link Everimages Career Consult CEDAF-I U.G.B.S U.G.B.S U.G.B.S

abuduimoro@yahoo.com Windowofhopef@yahoo.com zyfoundation@yahoo.com etsakitey@yahoo.co.uk everimages@yahoo.com cedafel@yahoo.com rhinson@ug.edu.gh adjasikd@ug.edu.gh mbraimah@ug.edu.gh

0242-611-341 0208-191-438

0243-564-013 0242-073-478 0243-943-999 0244-266-988 0244-613-070 0243-753-069

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