Research Capacity Building

EMReF with the vision of revitalization of the culture of independent research in Myanmar as well as extending and strengthening research capacity of EMReF itself have conducted different research methodological trainings both internally and externally. EMReF is giving the following research capacity building trainings in collaboration with international academia, research institutes and private sectors:

 

Basic Research Methodologies

 

EMReF is giving Basic Research Methodology trainings occasionally to the newly recruited researchers and some of the CSOs which want to add research knowledge and skills into their organizational capacities. The CSOs which gained research method trainings applies the knowledge in their program development, program evaluations, and outcome and impact assessments as well as in carrying out researches commissioned by external donors.

 

Mixed Methods

 

Mixed methodis the one of the main methods that EMReF applies in most of the researches it conducted.EMReF researchers with the support of international development partnershave been given the chance to learn Mixed Methods from accredited International University like NUS as well as Social Science Scholars like Dr. Michael Woolcock who is the lead Social Development Specialist in the World Bank’s Development Research Group. EMReF is giving Mixed Method trainings internally and it is planning to give externally especially to Local Research Institutes and senior social researchers.

Ethnography

 

EMReF starting from 2015 has provided its researchers with skills to carry out ethnography under the research program called “Everyday Justice and Security in the Transition of Myanmar” which aims to build up research capacity of Myanmar academia and policy research institutes in addition to the programs’ research activities. Under the program Department of Anthropology of Yangon University and EMReF gained trainings on Ethnography from Danish Institute of International Studies (DIIS). In addition, EMReF researchers gained intensive trainings on Ethnography with the technical support of the World Bank. Given that both trainings are attached to the subsequent field Ethnographic studies, it is very effective in acquiring skills in Ethnography for EMReF’s researchers. 

Quantitative data analysis using SPSS, STATA and Tableau

 

EMReF is also continuously working on building capacities in quantitative research methods and data analysis. Accordingly EMReF first provided its researchers with the training on quantitative data analysis using SPSS. In 2015 EMReF with the support of DIIS provided data analysis training using STATA. The training was given by Dr. Jennifer Whitten-Woodring, Assistant Professor from Political Science Department of University of Massachusetts Lowell. In order to catch up the fast moving technologies in data analysis and data visualization in particular, EMReF including other CSOs and government departments under the “Information Strategies for Societies in Transition” program supported by US AID, University of Washington, Microsoft and Tableau have been provided with data analysis training using Tableau software. EMReF have plans to give trainings on the acquired knowledge and skills on quantitative data analysis targeting at local research institutes, CSOs which want to apply research in their program and project development and parliamentary institutions aimed at enhancing roles of research in policy making in Myanmar.