THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA

THE DIRECTORATE OF RESEARCH AND PUBLICATION

TRAINING IN RESEARCH METHODS SOFT SKILLS ENHANCEMENT FOR

POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS.

The Directorate of Research and Publications starting this academic year 2016/17 will be
running a programme in Research Methods Soft Skills Enhancement for Postgraduate
students. This is a new programme containing series of short soft skills courses which is
mandatory for all postgraduate students doing Masters by thesis and Ph.D. The purpose of the
programme is to instil research and publication soft skills to postgraduate students
undertaking research and writing their reports. The short skills courses shall be offered
through a blended mode comprising both MOODLE and short face to face sessions. A
candidate shall be required to attempt and pass at least 50% of such short courses before being
allowed to present a research proposal. Students are required to study one online for a period
of two weeks. Therefore, it will take 10 weeks i.e. Two and a half month to complete five
courses. For a student to be allowed to defend his/her thesis for examination, he/she should
complete all nine courses in the programme.

Students registered at OUT wont pay extra tuition fee if they learn the courses through e-
learning platform. However, the courses will also be running in form of executive intensive
workshops (face to face sessions) where one course will be covered in one weekend i.e.
Saturday and Sunday. The executive workshops will be run at the Head quarters but also at
selected regional centres and all participants will be contributing some token to cover for
refreshments and materials. Registered students have options of attending either online or in
paid for workshops. A Certificate of completion will be awarded for each course
completed. The courses to be taught include:

FEE STRUCTURE

80,000/= TSH for two days weekends (OUT students)

100,000/= TSH for two days weekends (interested candidates from the general public)

To be paid at:

The National Bank of Commerce

Research and Consultancy Account

Account no: 011101015604

ONLINE REGISTRATION

Open University of Tanzania students will use their OUT-ELMS ID to access the online
courses. The courses are registered as OSD 600 to 608: Both OUT and other interested
candidates from the general public must pay fee and submit receipts to attend face to face
sessions at their respective centres.

COORDINATOR

Prof. Emmanuel Kigadye

Associate Director Research and Publication

The Open University of Tanzania

P.O. Box 23409

Dar es Salaam

E-mail: <emmanuel.kigadye@out.ac.tz> <emmanuel.kigadye@gmail.com>

Tel: +255754373754
COURSES TO BE TAUGHT THROUGH FACE TO FACE SESSIONS (EXECUTIVE
MODE)
1.0 OSD 600: RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING SKILLS
TARGET AUDIENCE

The focus of this training is to enable participants acquire skills needed to carry out high
quality research. The aim of this course is to impart student with skills knowledge of how
write research proposals that will lead to high quality dissertations/theses and research reports.
This training aims at enhancing skills of masters and PhD students and those who work in
research institutions.

FACILITATORS

Prof. E. Kigadye
Dr. J. Saria
Dr. E. Swai

FACE TO FACE TIME TABLE

Dar es Salaam: 25th 26th February 2017

Arusha: 4th 5th March 2017

Dodoma: 24th -25th March 2017

Mwanza: 1th -2nd April 2017

Mbeya: 28th -29th April 2017

COURSE AIM AND DESCRIPTION

The aim of the course is to improve participants skills in developing quality research
proposals, proposal-writing techniques, as well as developing skills in designing and writing
successful project proposals. By the end of this course students will be able to write good
quality research proposals. In addition the student shall be able to understand the main
characteristics and components of a research proposal.

CONTENT OF THE COURSE

The following themes will be taught in the course.

i) Designing a research title,

ii) Component of proposal summary,

iii) Writing an introduction

iv) Writing a problem statement,

v) Designing objectives (SMART- specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time

bound),

vi) Designing research questions/hypotheses

vii) Significance of a study,

viii) Designing a methodology

ix) Prepare a time plan and Proposal Budget

x) Proposal presentation skills

N.B: After the training lectures will be in touch with the participants to attend their concerns
for a period of one month

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

Oral presentations and in-class activities; Participants are required to come with their research
proposals for the purpose of use during training.
COURSE REFERENCES

American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication Manual of the American

Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological
Association.
Bryman, A. (2008). Social Research Methods (Second Edition). Oxford University Press,
Oxford.
Kahn, J.H. (2010). Sample APA Paper for Students Interested in Learning APA 6th edition.
Retrieved from http://my.ilstu.edu/~jhkahn/APAsample.pdf (16th October 2015)
Kayunze, K. A. (2010). Social Research Methods - DS 300: Class Notes (2010), Sokoine
University of Agriculture, Institute of Developments Studies (DSI). Published by
Sokoine University of Agriculture Printing Centre, 2010

Kothari, C.R. (2010). Research Methodology Methods and Techniques, 5th Ed, Published by
Wishwa Prakashan Division of New Age International (P) Limited.

Kumar, R. (2005). Research Methodology. A Step-by Step Guide for Beginners (2nded.). Sage
Publications, New Delhi
Swinnen, S .P., Schmidt, R. A., Nicholson, D. E., and Shapiro, D. C. (1990). Information
Feedback for Skill Acquisition: Instantaneous Knowledge of Results Degrades
Learning. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory and Cognition, 19,
1321-1344.
2.0 OSD 601: ACADEMIC RESEARCH WRITING SKILLS

TARGET AUDIENCE

The focus of this training is to enable participants acquire skills needed to write high quality
research reports such as dissertations and thesis This training aims at enhancing skills of
masters and PhD students and those who work in research institutions.

FACILITATORS

Dr. Catherine Mkude

Mr. Elia Lukwaro
Dr. Asanteli Makundi

FACE TO FACE TIME TABLE

Dar es Salaam: 4th -5th March 2017

Arusha: 11th -12th March 2017

 Mwanza: 25th -26th March 2017

Mbeya: 8th -9th April 2017

Dodoma: 22th 23rd April 2017

COURSE AIM AND DESCRIPTION

This course will install students with ability on how to use the functionalities in Word
effectively to structure the dissertation contents. The course will cover the techniques required
to for the presentation software and basic presentation skills.

The course advice on and training in the practical skills, knowledge and understanding of
how to work in the digital environment required for research. The learner will be equipped
with ability to creatively use digital skills on other research -led activities, and in the learners
future career.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to effectively utilise Microsoft Word to
structure their dissertation/thesis document to improve readability and organisation of the
chapters, figures, tables and references.

Based on the overall structure of the thesis contents provided in the OUT prospectus, the
following topics have been identified as necessary for developing the soft skills:

CONTENT OF THE TRAINING

The following themes will be taught in the lectures.

i. Overview of word application

ii. Inserting and editing table of contents
iii. Layout: Styles (numbering, headings, etc.), Page Layout (applying page break,
orientation, etc.)
iv. Referencing: inserting citation, developing bibliography and managing sources,
referencing styles, captioning of tables and figures and cross-referencing, endnote and
footnote, generating reference automatically etc.
v. Document editing: Proofing, managing review comments and track changes
vi. Power Point Overview (Presentation skills, animation)
vii. Setting Power Point program
viii. Inserting contents, charts and table in Power Point slides
ix. Formatting the contents
N.B: After the training lectures will be in touch with the participants to attend their concerns
for a period of one month

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

Oral presentation and in-class activities. Participants are required to come with their draft
reports dissertations/thesis for the purpose of use during training.

COURSE LITERATURE

1. American University. (2011). How to Format Footnotes and Endnotes in the American
University Thesis and Dissertation Template. Retrieved January 25, 2017, from
https://www.american.edu/provost/grad/etd/upload/Footnotes-and-Endnotes-Mac-
2011.pdf
2. Northern Michigan University, Lydia M. Olson Library (2007). Using Microsoft Word
to Create References and Bibliographies. Retrieved December, 2016, from.
http://library.nmu.edu/guides/userguides/references2007.htm
3. University of Veterinary. (2013). MS Word 2007 practical notes. Retrieved January
18, 2017 from
http://www2.univet.hu/users/szkovacs/Informatics_2014/MS%20Word%202007%20p
ractical%20notes_08_09_2014.pdf
3.0 OSD 602: CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW IN ACADEMIC WRITINGS

TARGET AUDIENCE

The focus of this training is to enable participants acquire skills needed to write high quality
research reports such as dissertations and thesis This training aims at enhancing skills of
masters and PhD students and those who work in research institutions.

FACILITATORS

Prof. H. Rwegoshora
Dr. P. Ngatuni
Dr. A. Makulilo

FACE TO FACE TIME TABLE

Mbeya: 25th -26th March

Dar es Salaam: 1st 2nd April 2017

Arusha: 8th -9th April 2017

Mwanza: 29th -30th April 2017

Dodoma: 6th-7th May 2017

COURSE AIM AND DESCRIPTION

The aim of this course is to provide students with the meaning of academic and peer reviewed
articles and the methods for identifying relevant articles and conducting literature search

The course will mainly focus on chapter one and chapter two of the research proposal.
Background to research problem, problem statement and literature review, objectives,
hypotheses/research questions, justifications and research ethics.
After completing the course, the participant should be able to search for relevant literature
using search engines and to identify relevant online scholar databases

CONTENT OF THE TRAINING COURSE

The following themes will be taught in the lectures.

i) Conceptual definitions,

ii) Theoretical Literature review,

iii) Empirical Literature review,

iv) Policy Reviews, Research Gap,

v) Theoretical Framework and Conceptual Framework.

vi) Overview of peer reviewed articles

vii) Features of a peer reviewed articles
viii) How to find peer reviewed articles
ix) Keyword search
x) Backward search
xi) Forward search

N.B: After the training lectures will be in touch with the participants to attend their concerns
for a period of one month
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

Oral presentation and in-class activities. Participants are required to come with their draft
reports dissertations/theses for the purpose of use during training.

4.0 RESEARCH DESIGN AND SAMPLING METHODS

TARGET AUDIENCE

The focus of this training is to enable participants acquire skills needed to carry out high
quality research. The aim of this course is to impart student with skills knowledge of how
generate data that will lead to applicable results. This training aims at enhancing skills of
masters and PhD students and those who work in research institutions.

FACILITATORS

Dr. F. Fweja
Dr. J. Kisoza
Dr. J. Magali

FACE TO FACE TIME TABLE

Dar es Salaam: 4th 5th March 2017

Mwanza: 25th -26th March 2017

Arusha: 1st 2nd April 2017

Mbeya: 22nd -23rd April 2017

Dodoma: 29th -30th April 2017

COURSE AIM AND DESCRIPTION

This course will describe research designs, sampling methods, sample selections, sample size,
methods of data collections and how to design questionnaires.

The aim of this course is to impart student with skills knowledge of how to carry generate
applicable results.

At the end of this course participants should be able to select units from a population of
interest so that by studying the sample may fairly generalize results to reflect the population
from which they were chosen.
CONTENT OF THE TRAINING

The following themes will be taught in the course.

i) Research design

ii) Sampling procedures (probability and non probability, cross sectional and longitudinal
etc.)

iii) Sample selection

iv) Sample size

v) Data collection

vi) How to prepare questionnaires

N.B: After the training lectures will be in touch with the participants to attend their concerns
for a period of one month

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

Oral presentation and in-class activities. Participants are required to come with their research
data for the purpose of use during training.

COURSE LITERATURE

American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication Manual of the American

Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological
Association.
Bryman, A. (2008). Social Research Methods (Second Edition). Oxford University Press,
Oxford.
Kahn, J.H. (2010). Sample APA Paper for Students Interested in Learning APA 6th edition.
Retrieved from http://my.ilstu.edu/~jhkahn/APAsample.pdf (16th October 2015)
Kayunze, K. A. (2010). Social Research Methods - DS 300: Class Notes (2010), Sokoine
University of Agriculture, Institute of Developments Studies (DSI). Published by
Sokoine University of Agriculture Printing Centre, 2010

Kothari, C.R. (2010). Research Methodology Methods and Techniques, 5th Ed, Published by
Wishwa Prakashan Division of New Age International (P) Limited.

Kumar, R. (2005). Research Methodology. A Step-by Step Guide for Beginners (2nded.). Sage
Publications, New Delhi
Swinnen, S .P., Schmidt, R. A., Nicholson, D. E., and Shapiro, D. C. (1990). Information
Feedback for Skill Acquisition: Instantaneous Knowledge of Results Degrades
Learning. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory and Cognition, 19,
1321-1344.
5.0 QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS

TARGET AUDIENCE

The focus of this training is to enable participants acquire skills needed to carry out high
quality research. Participants will gain practical skills in qualitative research methods and be
able to use data analysis tools and software. This training aims at enhancing skills of masters
and PhD students and those who work in research institutions.

FACILITATORS

Prof. Jan-Erick
Dr. M. Bushesha

FACE TO FACE TIME TABLE

Dar es Salaam: 11th -12th March 2017

Arusha: 18th -19th March 2017

Mwanza: 25th -26th March 2017

Mbeya: 1st 2nd April 2017

Dodoma: 15th 16th April 2017

COURSE AIM AND DESCRIPTION

The aim of this course is to enable student to be able to use data analysis tools and software
examined data in order to identify patterns and establish relationships.

This course will describe qualitative data analysis methods, particularly Computer Assisted
Qualitative Data Analysis (CAQDA) methods such as QDA Miner Lite and Aquad (which are
open source and freeware). Students will also be made aware of other available software for
data analysis based on their needs.

Students will learn the most common quantitative analysis procedures that are used in data
evaluation. They will also be provided with a list of helpful resources that will assist them in
their evaluative efforts.
At the end of lecture, the student should be able to use qualitative data analysis tools and
software examined data in order to identify patterns and establish relationships.
 CONTENT OF THE TRAINING

The following themes will be taught in the lectures.

i. Data Analysis Software Overview

ii. Data analysis Software and tools
iii. Qualitative data analysis software using QDA Miner Lite and Aquad
iv. Mixed method research (AMOS, Miner4 etc)

v. How search data online using effective searching for published documents/materials,
search engines, use of Boolean and truncates etc

N.B: After the training lectures will be in touch with the participants to attend their concerns
for a period of one month.

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

Oral presentation and in-class activities. Participants are required to come with their research
data for the purpose of use during training.

6.0 QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS

TARGET AUDIENCE

The focus of this training is to enable participants acquire skills needed to carry out high
quality research. Participants will gain practical skills in quantitative research methods and be
able to use data analysis tools and software. This training aims at enhancing skills of masters
and PhD students and those who work in research institutions.

FACILITATORS

Dr. S. Massomo
Dr. T. Shavega

FACE TO FACE TIME TABLE

Mwanza: 11th -12th March 2017

Dar es Salaam: 18th 19th March 2017

Arusha: 25th-26th March 2017

Mbeya: 15th-16th April 2017

Dodoma: 22nd -23rd April 2017

COURSE AIM AND DESCRIPTION

This course will describe quantitative data analysis methods and techniques by which students
could use to convert data to numerical forms and subject them to statistical analysis in order
to generate meaningful results. This lecture will also cover quantitative data analysis methods:
Excel, SPSS, STATA and R

The aim of this course is to assist students evaluate and quantify research results. Students
will learn the most common quantitative analysis procedures that are used in data evaluation.
They will also be provided with a list of helpful resources that will assist them in their
evaluative efforts.
At the end of lecture, the student should be able to understand what quantitative data is, and
use quantitative data analysis tools and software order to identify patterns and establish
relationships.
CONTENT OF THE TRAINING

The following themes will be taught in the lectures.

i. Level of measurement: Nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio scale

ii. Central tendency (mean, mode, median)
iii. Data tabulation (frequency distributions & percent distributions)
iv. Measure of dispersion (range, variance, standard deviation)
v. Continuous and discrete variables
vi. Bivariate analysis
vii. Multivariate analysis
viii. Quantitative data analysis software using Excel, SPSS, STATA and R.

N.B: After the training lectures will be in touch with the participants to attend their concerns
for a period of one month.

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

Oral presentation and in-class activities. Participants are required to come with their research
data for the purpose of use during training.

COURSE LITERATURE

Aczel, A. D. (1999). Complete Business Statistics. Irwin McGraw Hill.

Dunn, D. S. (2001). Statistics and Data Analysis for the Behavioural Sciences. Irwin
McGrawHill.
Gomez, K. A. and Gomez, A. A. (1984). Statistical Procedures for Agricultural
Research (2ed). An International Rice Research Institute Book. A Wiley
Interscience Publication, John Wiley & Sons.
James, J. (2009). Introduction to Applied Statistics: lecture notes
http://people.richland.edu/james/lecture/ last visited in January, 2009.
Kothari, C. R. (2009). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Age
International Limited Publishers.
Mason, R. D., Lind, D. A and Marchal, W. G. (1999). Statistical Techniques in Business
andEconomics. Irwin McGraw Hill.
Saunders, M. N. K., Lewis & P., Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business
students.(5ed). Harlow: Prentice Hall
Financial Times.42
Zar, J. H. (1996). Biostatistical Analysis. Prentice Hall, Inc. New Jersey