Course in Statistics in Research with a guide to SPSS
Introduction
Marga Institute, Centre for Development Studies, utilizing it’s unique experience over three decades in the field of Development Studies is pleased to offer the Certificate Course in Statistics in Research with guide to SPSS through it’s Continuing learning and Professional Development (CLDP) Programme.
Objective and Content
The main objective of the course is to introduce the statistical concepts and techniques of Quantitative data analysis used in Social Sciences to persons who have little or no experience of using such techniques and to provide an understanding of basic statistical methods and the ability to use them. During the Course the Participants will train how to use Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Overall the Course is aimed to train how to use Quantitative methods to solve research problems and to improve decision making.
Learning Outcomes
The Course will enable Participants to:
- Master descriptive and exploratory data analysis techniques
- Understanding and apply a range of quantitative methods
- Interpret the results of statistical analysis
- Obtain experience in using Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS)
For whom
The Course is designed and recommended for:
- Academies
- Business Analysis
- Researchers and
- Graduates /Students
Key Topics
The Course combines lectures and hands-on- training in 17 sessions which cover 51 hours. Each session will consist of a short lecture, practical training in using data and discussion on specific topics. In addition, each session will feature SPSS functions selected for their relevance to the statistical concept under discussion. Approximately 40 datasets will be used during the Course and Participants are encouraged to bring their own data to work on.
Assignments
Statistics is best learned through practice. During the Course, each Participant is expected to complete two homework assignments. Apart from the assignments a dataset will be provided to all Participants to carry out a research project utilizing SPSS.
Duration / Venue
In 17 Sessions (3 hour per Session with a break) Duration / Venue From 2nd September to 28 October 2010 Lectures held in A/C auditorium at Marga Institute on Tuesdays and Thursday, 5.00-8.00 p.m.
Course Fee
Rs. 30,000.00 per person for lectures and handouts
Registration
Monday 23rd to Friday 27th August from 9 a.m to 3 p.m at Marga Institute
Contact
Call us at 011- 2888790/91 and 0777-589336. Email egmarga@sltnet.lk and earnesthp@gmail.com
Certificate Course in Decentralization and Devolution: Principles and Practices
Marga has initiated a series of short courses under its Continuing Learning and Professional Development Programme. Certificate Course in Decentralization and Devolution: Principles and Practices is the latest which scheduled to commence from Monday 19th July 2010.
Governments world over are turning to decentralization and devolution as the way forward in packaging governance in providing for the welfare of their citizens by getting closer to them. Sri Lanka sought to reach out to the local communities by decentralizing its administration and later opted for devolution of power to provinces in responding to demands from the North and East for autonomy in regional governance. Despite the successful conclusion of the war the discourse on devolution continues. Marga considers it relevant and duty bound to engage professionals in a learning discussion of the principles, practices and issues to analyze and understand coherently the experience so far, the required form and substance in the future, and how it works and does not work, in order to make informed choices as citizens of Sri Lanka.
Objective and Content
The main objective of the Course is to introduce the principles and practices of decentralization and devolution in the context of the emerging challenges of governance and development. The Course will clarify the concepts of decentralization and devolution and examine the critical aspects of practices. The Course will also review the evolution of the practice.
Learning Outcomes
The Course will enable Participants togain clarity in the understanding of thefundamentals of decentralization anddevolution, its role in democraticgovernance and to analyze coherentlythe experiences of Sri Lanka.
Target Audience (For whom)
The Course is mainly designed for:
- Government , Private and Civil Society Professionals
- Academics
- And any person who is Interested in decentralization and devolution.
Key Topics and Sessions
Session 1:
The Concept of and rationale for
Decentralization
Relocation of state power and authority;
Forms of decentralization; Political,
Administrative and Fiscal aspects of
decentralization.
Session 2:
Constitutional, Legal and Regulatory
Framework
The formal parameters of decentralization
and devolution; Unitary and
federal systems; Interaction of legal and
regulatory frameworks; Intergovernmental
relations.
Session 3:
Democratic Governance
Entitlements and Rights;
Empowerment and Participation;
Accountability and Information
guarantees.
Session 4:
Organization of Governance, Powers
and Functions
Multilevel governance and power
sharing; Principle of subsidiarity and
assignment of service delivery roles and
responsibilities; Monitoring, review and
reporting
Session 5:
Economic Rationale and Fiscal Aspects
Expenditure and tax assignment;
Intergovernmental transfers; Decentralization
of borrowing powers
Session 6:
Human Resources
The civil service under decentralization;
managerial and technical capacity
Session 7:
Decentralization experience of Sri
Lanka
Transition to independence; Departmentalization;
District adminis-tration
and local government; Decentralization
for development; District political
authority; District councils; and social
and political conflict.
Session 8:
Devolution of Power to Provincial
Councils
The 13th Amendment to the Constitution,
Establishment of Provincial Councils;
Re-structuring of government and
governance.
Session 9:
The Devolution Experience
The practice of decentralization and
devolution; assessing the provincial
council experience
Session 10:
Open forum on decentralization and
Devolution in Sri Lanka
Course Fee
Rs. 20,000/=
Duration / Venue
In 10 Sessions ( 2.5 hours per Session)
From 19th July to 18 August 2010
Lectures held in A/C auditorium at Marga
Institute on Mondays and Wednesdays,
5 to 8 p.m.
Contact for details
011 – 2888790/91, 0777 – 589336
egmarga@sltnet.lk
earnesthp@gmail.com
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Certificate in Research Methodology
The certificate course in Research Methodology conducted by the Marga Institute for the very first time in February 2010 concluded few weeks ago. Due to the excellent feedback received from the participants and the demand for this course from the high calibre of students ranging from senior researchers, senior managers and PhD students etc, the Institute has decided to repeat this programme in June 2010.
An Intensive 15 Session Package
Expanding further on the “Research Methodology Course”, it packs into 15 sessions the knowledge that one requires to formulate, execute, process findings and write an analytical report to address any social research question that arises in development research. The Course will make the student acquainted with the basic theories underlying social science research. Thereafter the course will take the student through the process of identifying research, issues relevant to one’s field of work, formulating a proposal, selecting appropriate research methods, practical lessons on carrying out research, processing the data and presentation, all in the course of 45 hours of study.
Making use of the wealth of knowledge and experience in development studies gained over the last 35 years, the Marga Institute launched a combined basic theoretical and practical course to sharpen research skills in social science research. Taking account of the increasing demand for this course and the special needs of students seeking to improve their knowledge and skills in the social sciences the Marga Institute has decided to commence a course in “Research Methodology”
The value of this course is that it packs into 15 sessions the knowledge that is required to formulate, execute, process findings and write an analytical report to address any social research question that arises in the area of social science work. At the end of the course you will be better equipped to carry social science research and venture out into a career in this area.
For whom – Practitioners, academics and researchers in the
field of Social Science
Duration – 1st June to 20th July 2010
Venue/Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5-8 p.m in the Marga Auditorium
Course Fee: Rs 22,000/=, to be paid at Registration on 21st May, 9 a.m to 4 p.m. at Marga
Course will be limited to 35 persons per batch
Key sessions
- Significance of Research Methodology in the context of development in a multi-disciplinary framework
- Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches
- Mixed methods-Triangulation & Integration
- Application of two soft ware packages ( SPSS & NVIVO)
- Formulating a proposal & writing analytical reports
Download the application form
Master of Arts in Development Studies and Public Policy.
The Master of Arts (MA) in Development Studies and Public Policy is a programme introduced by the Marga Institute in collaboration with the Open University of Sri Lanka.
The Open University on its part provides the necessary quality assurance to the teaching function, final examination and certification of the successful students.
The Institute makes available the large body of knowledge it has acquired and the analytical tool kit developed during the last three decades devoted to the study
and analysis of development issues in Sri Lanka and in the region.
This joint teaching venture is designed to develop Social Scientist who would be multi-disciplinary in their approach to development issues.
Our objectives are
- To design Post-graduate courses that provides a well-integrated body of multi-disciplinary knowledge and analytical skills.
- To build a community of scholars and researchers with multi-disciplinary capabilities and skills.
Eligibility for Admission
(a) A degree from a recognized university with two years of work experience preferably in the fields of planning, administration and implementation of development projects.
(b) Secured an equivalent or higher qualification acceptable to the Senate of the Open University of Sri Lanka. The University will select students for admission from eligible applicants on the basis of a selection test conducted. The selection test will consist of a written examination and an interview.
Medium of Instruction
English will be the language of instruction and assessment.
Programme Structure and Approach to the Study of Development
The MA Programme consists of thirteen regular courses and also two Continuing Education Courses to be offered in Semesters I (one), II (Two), and III (Three) with the subject matter arranged as modules dealing with Historical, Theoretical, and Thematic issues relating to development. The Historical Module will take the student through the different phases of the development process in Sri Lanka after independence.
The Theoretical Module will cover the concepts of development as they evolved in the UN System and in the academic community, the principles of the three main social-sciences Economics, Sociology and Political Science, development indicators and research methodology. The Thematic Module will consist of cross-cutting themes and case studies which are relevant to the understanding of the development process in Sri Lanka.
They are intended to strengthen the multi-disciplinary framework of analysis to be applied for the research dissertation. This knowledge base will enable students of development to be confident in multiperspectival thinking and also play a catalytic role in individual and social system change.
Course Codes and Credit Ratings
This programme will consist of 4 credits worth of Regular Courses and 1/3 credit
worth of Continuing Education Courses. The two academic years are divided into four semesters to enable students to give undivided attention to selected courses.
Each semester will be of five months duration. The Continuing Education Courses are spread throughout the year.
The term credit implies the number of study hours that a student should devote to a particular course. A credit involves 450 hours of study.
For more information please contact the course coordinator Ms. Yvonne Shockman
Tel: 2888790 (Extension - 115) for further details.
