Haramaya University College of Social Sciences & Humanities (CSSH) conducted research methodology training for PhD students for three consecutive days from August 20-22, 2021 at the University’s Resource Centre.

As explained by Dr. Adinew Tadesse, Dean of CSSH, and the Project Coordinator from HrU side, CSSH is implementing a three year capacity building project jointly with the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS), Addis Ababa University (AAU) and four other African Universities, namely, University of Obafemi Awolowo Ile-Ife from Nigeria, Protestant University of Central Africa from Cameroon, University of Hargeisa from Somaliland, and Africa University from Zimbabwe.

The capacity building program is financially supported by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

It was indicated that the overall objective of the project is to develop research capacity in all collaborating universities by supporting PhD students and early researchers in their research projects.

To this end, the project provides a research grant and research methodology training that will help researchers to improve their research capacities, and create opportunities and platforms for researchers to expand their research and network through workshops aimed at strengthening skills and knowledge, which enables them to disseminate research findings to continental and international audiences.

Thus far, as stated by Dr Adinew, as part of the first component of the project, i.e. research support, four students pursuing their PhD degree in Peace and Development Studies have been awarded a partial research grant through competition.

The second component of the project is research methodology training which is divided into two parts. The first part was Social Science Research Methodology (face to face training) and the second part was Webinars in Scientific Writing and Publishing (Supported by Manchester University).

The objective of the training program was to develop the capability of conducting quality research among PhD students and early researchers in the general field of social sciences.

The training introduced the participants to the qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research methods, specific tools, and techniques of data collection, organization and analysis.

The training was attended by sixteen PhD students of Peace and Development Studies of the University.