African Doctoral Academy
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

Workshop Information

​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Please click on the course you would like to read more about.​​​​

ADA Summer School 2024​

29 January to 16 February ​

Full programme dates, costs and further information are listed here

​The application form is listed he​re.​


​​​​​​​​C​​ourse 1: ​F​undamentals of Grant Proposal Writing: The Crucial Role of Research Impact in Securing Funding​

C​​ourse 2: Developing Transferable Skills: Personal and Professional Competencies Beyond Your Doctorate​​

C​​ourse 3​: Conducting a Literature Review: The Key to a Successful Thesis​​​

C​​ourse 4: AI and Scientific Research: Issues, Debates & Opportunities

C​​ourse 5: The Quantitative PhD:  ​From Philosophy to Study Design, Data Analysis and Reporting​​

C​​ourse 6"The Ultimate Research Supervisor" (Module 1, Module 2, Module 3)

C​​ourse 7: ​​​​Good Practice in Postgraduate Research Supervision: Developing Effective Supervision Practices Face-to-Face a​nd Remotely (Module 1)

​C​​ourse 8: Demystifying the Conceptual Frameworks and Theoretical Perspectives For Research and Writing (Module 2)​

C​​ourse 9: Feedback on Postgradaute Academic Writing: Dialogues, Practices and Insights for Students and Supervisors (Module 3)

C​​ourse 10: Project Management for Researchers​​

C​​ourse 11: How to Argue and Write an Effective Research Proposal for Your Master's or Doctorate

C​​ourse 12: Introduction to Quantitative Research Skills using SPSS

C​​ourse 13: Mixed Methods: From Design Towards Practical Implementation

C​​ourse 14: Academic Writing for Publications: An Introduction

C​​ourse 15: Qualitative Research Design and Implementation: Principles and Practices

C​​ourse 16: Preparing for the PhD: First Steps Towards Doctoral Success​​

C​​ourse 17: Effective Academic Writing Skills for Master's and Doctoral Candidates




Course 1. Fundamentals of Grant Proposal Writing: The Crucial Role of Research Impact in Securing Funding 

​Presenters​
Riana Coetsee (Research Management & Skills Training Consultant)​
​Duration
2 day​ course 
Course takes place from 29 to 30 January 2024 online via Microsoft Teams. Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 08:15 - 13:00 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

​Cost
​​Early Bird: R1950 Standard: R2150 Late Joiner: R2300 
​​​Requirements
​Participants should be conducting research or be in the planning phases, be it at postgraduate or postdoctoral level or in full-time academic staff capacity. 
​​
​Target audi​ence
The course is designed for researchers (including postgraduate students and postdocs) who need to generate research funds. 
​​What to brin​g​?​
Pen and one piece of blank A4 paper. 
​Mode
​Online​
 ​
Course Description
It is increasingly expected of researchers to generate research funds. To do so, researchers need to acquire grant writing skills or hone the skills they already have.  Although funding organisations and their application requirements differ, there are important elements expected by all funding agencies, whether it relates to small or to large grants. These elements will be addressed in the workshop. 
 
The following elements will be discussed and practised: 
  • The basic structure of a grant proposal (i.e., how to get out of the starting block) 
  •  Market your research and strengthen your researcher profile 
  •  Why grant proposals fail 
  •  Explaining peer review panels 
  •  Common core components of grant proposals 
  •  The budget 
  •  Is all research fundable (and where to look for funding)?​
Course Outcomes
Participants will understand the following: 
  • ​How to overcome “writer’s block” when you start writing a grant proposal 
  • What basic and core components a grant application should have to make it competitive 
  • What “peer review” means 
  • Why it is important to indicate impact and what funders mean by it 
  • What pitfalls to avoid when writing a grant proposal 
  • How to approach the budget and what elements to include 
  • How to identify possible funding opportunities ​

Course Material
Course material will be made available online on the SUNOnline platform. 
​Course Format
The course will be presented as a one-day workshop spread over two mornings. it will feature a combination of presentations, group excercises and discussions.

​​​

Course 2. Developing Transferable Skills: Personal and Professional Competencies Beyond Your Doctorate

​Presenters​
Dr Kerstin Lange (Universität Hamburg, Hamburg Research Academy, Germany​)​​
​Duration
2 day​ course 
The course takes place from 29 to 30 January 2024 online via Microsoft Teams. Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

​Cost
​​Early Bird: R1950 Standard: R2150 Late Joiner: R2300 
​​​Requirements
​Participants should have a laptop installed with Microsoft Teams.
​Target audi​ence
The course is designed for postgraduate students, particularly early-stage doctoral students and those intending to do a doctorate. ​
​​What to brin​g​?​
Laptop and notepads. Course material will be provided electronically.
​Mode
​Online​​
 ​​
Course Description
'Transferable Skills' are much more than just an additional supplement to your research. They are necessary to successfully master the doctoral phase and they are indeed transferable to your further career inside​ or outside academia. The aim of this course is to reflect on the skills that you have already acquired and to identify those you need to develop further. We will look at how to confidently present your competencies to others, while practicing some essential communication and collaboration techniques that you will benefit from throughout your PhD.

Course Outcomes
During this workshop, participants will gain: 
  • Understanding of their acquired transferable skills  
  • Knowledge of different (academic) competency models 
  • Self-awareness of personal strengths and professional skills  
At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:  
  • Set goals and milestones for their PhD journey (using an Individual Development Plan)  
  • Apply essential communication and presentation techniques 
  • Prepare for their future career well in advance

Course Material
Course material will be made available online on the SUNOnline platform​. 

​Course Format
The course will be presented as a two-day workshop. It will feature a combination of presentations, group exercises and discussions. 



Course 3. Conducting a Literature Review: The Key to a Successful Thesis 

​Presenters​
Dr Alet Olivier (Freelance academic and plagiarism consultant previously: Postgraduate School, University of the Free State)
​Duration
3​​ day​ course 
The course takes place from 31 January to 2 February 2024 in-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

​Cost
​​​​Early Bird: R6950 Standard: R7250 Late Joiner: R7450
​​​Requirements
Participants should have a basic understanding of the research proce​​​​ss. It is critical to come with an idea for a research project and if possible, a topic and title for their envisaged theses, which will also be discussed during the course. 
​Target audi​ence
The course is designed for postgraduate students, particularly doctoral and master’s students in the process of planning or writing their theses, or even at the proposal/protocol phase. The course will also be useful for supervisors and researchers interested in acquiring insight in the process of conducting a literature review. 
​​What to brin​g​?​
Laptop and notepads. Course material will be provided electronically. ​​
​Mode
​In-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS)
 ​
Course Description
This course offers the fundamentals of the process of planning and writing a literature review of a thesis/dissertation or even at the proposal/protocol phase. This includes how to use the literature review to enter scholarly conversations and engaging with the other writers.​

Course Outcomes
It is envisaged that during the workshop the delegates will be able to 
  • Grasp and effectively demonstrate the purpose of a literature review within the context of the thesis
  • Recognise that the essence of the literature review lies in understanding your topic and conceptualising the fundamental constructs
  • Understand the differences between a literature review and a theoretical/conceptual framework and the place of theory in research
  • Be cognizant that engaging with literatures is like entering “occupied territory”, which challenges the commonly held belief that writing the literature review is a relatively straightforward task  
  • Understand that working with literatures is an integral part of scholarship and research and that incorporating prior work of other scholars is at the heart of academic research ​

Course Material
Course material will be made available online on the SUNOnline platform and/or limited printed copies will be provided and distributed during the classes. 

​Course Format
The course will be presented as a three-day workshop.​ Input sessions will be given in-person by the instructor, and participants will have to apply thinking to their own project (literature review), giving and getting feedback in interactive sessions, and groups towards improving their own research project. 

Course 4. AI and Scientific Research: Issues, Debates & Opportunities

​Presenters​
Dr Sonja Strydom (Stellenbosch University)
​Duration
5 day​ course 
Course takes place from 29 January to 2 February 2024 at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

​Cost
​​​​​​Early Bird: R9550 Standard: R9950 Late Joiner: R10250
​​​Requirements
Delegates should have a working understanding of the research process and associated post-graduate requirements. At the minimum intermediate digital proficiencies will be to your benefit in this course.  
​Target audi​ence
This course is designed for doctoral students, post-graduate supervisors & post-docs.
​​What to brin​g​?​
Laptop.​
​Mode
​In-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS)​
 ​
Course Description
This is a hands-on, active workshop where delegates will be introduced to numerous issues, debates and opportunities associated with AI in the scientific research process. A working understanding of not only the philosophical and practical implications of AI will benefit delegates, but scholarly voices from the field will also contribute to a broader understanding of this topic.

Course Outcomes
During this workshop participants will: 
  • Develop an understanding of the current AI landscape in relation to academic writing and research 
  • Outline the different issues associated with increased automation in scientific writing & research practices 
  • Engage in conversation and debate related to contentious aspects of AI in the scientific research process 
  • Investigate the opportunities associated with AI use in scholarly practice 
  • Develop critical working knowledge of the affordances of current AI tools assisting in scientific research​

Course Material
Course material will be made available online on the SUNOnline platform.

​Course Format
The course will be presented as a five-day workshop. It will feature a combination of presentations, group exercises and discussions. 
 

Course 5. ​The Quantitative PhD:  From Philosophy to Study Design, Data Analysis and Reporting​

​PresenterProf Catherine Comiskey (Trinity College, Dublin University, Ireland)
Duration5 day​ course 
Course takes place from 29 January to 2​​ February​ 2024 at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS).​ ​Delegates will be expected to b​e available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).​
​Cost ​
Early Bird: R9550 Standard: R9950 Late Joiner: R10250
​​Requirements

Participants should have an interest in, and a basic knowledge of quantitative research. ​​This course will be most beneficial to those who have a specific research project planned in prevention or intervention within a real world, natural science, engineering, community, education, social or healthcare setting.  The course will be interdisciplinary and will focus on practical examples and workshops where students can develop their own project work with hands on input from the facilitator.

​Target audience
The course is designed for postgraduate students, particularly early-stage doctoral students and those intending to do a doctorate. 
Workshop format
The workshop will be interactive in nature. Participants will be expected to participate actively in the learning process. This requires that participants engage in learning activities during and outside working hours. It would be beneficial to bring some of your study data. 
​What to bring?
​Laptop, power cord, adaptors and extensions, any data analysis software you intend to use, any data sets you intend to use.
​Mode
In-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS)

​​​Course Description
Participants will learn of the origins of quantitative approaches, how to choose an appropriate study design and an adequate sample size. They will learn of the related data analysis from basic statistics to regression and beyond to ensuring the appropriate presentation and write up of quantitative results. You will be provided with a series of tools and checklists. There will also be an opportunity to expand your knowledge and learn of novel quantitative approaches that may be useful for your PhD or future research,​

Course Outcomes

At the end of the course participants will be able to: ​

  • Describe the philosophical underpinnings of quantitative research 
  • Defend their choice of study design and sample size. 
  • Conduct a power analysis and decide how many samples/cases/participants are required within a study 
  • Write an appropriate data analysis plan including a statistical plan for their study design 
  • Write a report on their study in line with the Consort or Strobe guidelines 
  • Summarise and critically analyse related studies​

Course materials will be made available on the online platform, SUNOnline. Limited hardcopy materials will be provided. Worksheets, ​​exercises/tasks and class notes will be provided online and/or printed and distributed during the classes.​​

The course will be presented as a five-day workshop. It will feature a combination of presentations, group exercises and discussions. 


Course 6. "The Ultimate Research Supervisor" ​ ​(Module 1, 2 and 3) 

​Presenters​
Prof Gina Wisker (University of Bath, UK)
​Duration
8 day​ course 
The course takes place from 29 January to 7 February 2024 in-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

​Cost
​​Early Bird: R15500 Standard: R15950 Late Joiner: R1685​0​
​Mode
In-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS)
 ​
Course Description​
"The Ultimate Research Supervisor" is a course package consisting of courses 7, 8 and 9.
Module 1: Good Practice in Postgraduate Supervision: Developing Effective Supervision Practices Face-to-Face a​nd Remotely 
Module 2: Demystifying the Conceptual Framework and Theoretical Perspectives For Research and Writing 
Module 3: Feedback on Postgraduate Academic Writing: Dialogues, Practices and Insights for Students and Supervisors​​

Course Material
Course materials will be made available on the online platform, SUNOnline. ​

​Course Format
The course will be presented as an eight-day workshop. It will feature a combination of presentations, group exercises and discussions. 


Back to top


Course 7. ​Good Practice in Postgraduate Supervsion: Developing Effective Supervision Practices Face-to-Face a​nd Remotely (Module 1) 

​​Presenters​
Prof Gina Wisker (University of Bath, UK)
​Duration
5​ day​ course 
Course takes place from 29 January to 2 February 2024 in-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS).  Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

​Cost
​​Early Bird: R9550 Standard: R9950 Late Joiner: R10250​​
​​​Requirements
Participants should have some basic understanding and experience of the processes of supervision or being supervised, and of research and a willingness to share experiences and further good practice.
​Target audi​ence
The course is designed for anyone who intends to supervise, is supervising or has supervised – we will be sharing experience and inform our development through engagement with research and good practice. 
​​What to brin​g​?​
Laptop and notepad.
​Mode
​In-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS)
 ​
Course Description
Participants will explore experience (including their own), research-based ideas, and good practices in doctoral supervision along the whole doctoral learning journey. There will be focus on the development of their own skills and the sound experiences of their doctoral students in line with the three dimensions of intellectual and learning development, personal development, and engagement with appropriate institutional processes.

Course Outcomes

During this workshop, participants will gain:

  • Research and experience-based information and effective examples of good practice in supervision along the whole doctoral learning journey.
  • Research and experience-based insights into working with doctoral students to promote and support their research development in the project and writing processes in the thesis.
  • A rich set of understandings about varied good supervision practices face to face and remotely which they can put into effect in their own supervision practice.
  • Insights and practical problem-solving strategies from engagement with the activities in the workshop and from discussion with the full community of supervisor colleagues in the workshop.

Course Material
Course materials will be made available on the online platform, SUNOnline. The presenter will also provide pre-access to all PowerPoints and her website thegoodsupervisor.co.uk.​  ​

​Course Format
The course will be presented as a five-day workshop. It will feature a combination of presentations, group exercises and discussions. 




Course 8. Demystifying the Conceptual Framework and Theoretical Perspectives For Research and Writing (Module 2)

​Presenters​
Prof Gina Wisker (University of Bath, UK)
​Duration
2 day​ course 
Course takes place from 5 to 6 February 2024 in-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

​Cost
​​​​Early Bird: R4250 Standard: R4450 Late Joiner: R460​0
​​​Requirements
Participants should be either research students or supervisors who have at least a rudimentary understanding of the process of research (Masters' level). It would be useful to bring an idea for a research project and/or topic to refine and work on throughout the course of the workshop. ​
​Target audi​ence
The course is designed for postgraduate students, particularly early-stage doctoral students and those undertaking or intending to do a doctorate. It is  also  useful  for  supervisors supervising doctoral  students.

​​What to brin​g​?​
Laptop
​Mode
In-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS)
 ​
Course Description
In this research and hands-on workshop, participants will be exposed to a variety of strategies, sources of information, tools and examples of theory, theoretical perspectives, conceptual frameworks, and ways to nudge conceptual threshold crossings to enable doctoral level work so they can thrive, succeed on their doctoral journey, and contribute to knowledge. They will also consider where and how to express theory and conceptual work in their literature review and throughout the thesis. Participants will explore the scholarship of doctoral education and the journey to doctoral success.

Course Outcomes
During this workshop, participants will be able to:  
  • Develop and demonstrate important steps/milestones in preparing to undertake and complete their doctoral studies. 
  • Identify a doable research topic and formulate research problem. 
  • ​Consider and  begin  to plan and  develop  their use of  theoretical  perspectives  and  conceptual  frameworks to  enable  their doctoral  work and  writing. 

Course Material
Course materials will be made available on the online platform, SUNOnline. 

​Course Format
The course will be presented as a two-day workshop. It will feature a combination of presentations, group exercises and discussions. 




Course 9. ​Feedback on Postgraduate Academic Writing: Dialogues, Practices and Insights for Students and Supervisors (Module 3)

​Presenters​
Prof Gina Wisker (University of Bath, UK)
​Duration
1 day​ course 
Course takes place on 7 Febr​uary 2024 in-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

Cost
​​Early Bird: R2250 Standard: R2450 Late Joiner: R260​0
​​​Requirements
Participants should be either postgraduate students who work with supervisor feedback or supervisors who construct and tailor their feedback so that postgraduates can learn from it.  
​Target audi​ence
The course is designed for both postgraduate students at any stage in a doctorate and for postgraduate supervisors – which will help us think of feedback as a learning dialogue.
​​What to brin​g​?​
Laptop
​Mode
In-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS)
 ​
Course Description
In this hands-on research and experience informed one day workshop/module, feedback practices will be considered and developed as an enabling learning dialogue. Participants will be engaged with considering and working to develop forms of feedback which encourage active learning and empower postgraduate students and also ways of working developmentally with such feedback when it is received, as a postgraduate student.

Course Outcomes​

During this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Reflect on and explore different versions of feedback in supervision and research leaning.
  • As supervisors and postgraduate students, consider how to develop and work with feedback dialogues which empower ownership and learning.
  • Practice giving and receiving feedback and deal with cases to explore how it works well.

Course Material
Course materials will be made available on the online platform, SUNOnline. ​

​Course Format
The course will be presented as a one-day workshop. It will feature a combination of presentations, group exercises and discussions. 





Course 10. Project Management for Researchers​ ​ 

​Presenters​
Prof Joubert van Eeden (Stellenbosch University)
​Duration
1 day​ course 
Course takes place on 8 February 2024 in-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

​Cost
​​​​Early Bird: R225​​0 Standard: R2450 Late Joiner: R260​0​
​​​Requirements
The are no prerequisites. ​
​Target audi​ence
The course was designed for research project practitioners planning to complete their research projects in minimum time. Specific focus on PhD candidates will be given on some of the sub-topics. 

​​What to brin​g​?​
Laptop 
​Mode
In-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS)
 ​
Course Description
The course will provide participants insight into the following aspects of project management: project management theory; scope management; stakeholder engagement; quality management; time management; risk management; project control and progress monitoring. 
The course has a specific focus on individual research projects for participants that are involved in generic research projects or working towards a degree. 

Course Outcomes
At the end of the course, participants should be able to: 
  • Understand how the basic principles of project management relates to individual research projects 
  • Argue the importance of time management within research project delivery and describe the cost and quality interdependency 
  • Plan a research project at a high level and provide a clear scope statement and project plan 
  • Be able to apply the basic risk management process to rank and mitigate risk on research projects 
  • Can compile a (brief) report on project progress against defined key milestones ​

Course Material
Course materials will be made available on the online platform, SUNOnline. ​ 

​Course Format
The course will be presented as a one-day workshop. It will feature a combination of presentations, group exercises and discussions. The presenter will use a blend of teaching and learning styles.

Course 11. How to Argue an Effective Proposal for Your Master's or Doctorate  ​ 

​Presenters​
Selene Delport and Paul Adebayo (Stellenbosch University, Writing Lab)
​Duration
5 day​ course 
Course takes place on 5 to 9 February 2024 in-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

​Cost
​​Early Bird: R955​​0 Standard: R9950 Late Joiner: R1025​0​
​​​Requirements
Participants should already have and idea for a research project and topic. Ideally, participants should already have started writing their research proposals/protocols.  
​Target audi​ence
The course is designed for postgraduate students busy writing a research proposal for their Master’s or Doctoral degree. 
​​What to brin​g​?​
Participants are encouraged to share drafts of their own writing during the workshop, if they feel comfortable doing so. All writers and their writing will be treated with respect. 
​Mode
In-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS)
 ​
Course Description
In this interactive workshop, we’ll start with the purpose of writing a proposal and using micro-writing to plan your proposal. Delegates will also be exposed to a variety of argumentation strategies to use in their proposal as well as practical advice about how to develop their own academic voices.

Course Outcomes
At the end of the course, participants should be able to: 
  • Develop their own proposals/protocols 
  • Refine their own academic voices 
  • Use different argumentation structures effectively to create a persuasive proposal/protocol​

Course Material
Course materials will be made available on the online platform, SUNOnline. Limited hardcopy materials will be provided. Worksheets, exercises/tasks and class notes will be provided online and/or printed and distributed during the classes.​ 

​Course Format
The course will be presented as a five-day workshop​. A  blend of asynchronous and synchronous teaching will be used. ​The workshop is characterized by a positive, intimate, and encouraging atmosphere in which exchanging successful practices and failures (also known as “learning opportunities”) is central to the learning success of all participants.




Course 12. Introduction to Quantitative Research Skills using SPSS 

​Presenters​
Dr Cindy Steenekamp (Stellenbosch University)
​Duration
5 day​ course 
Course takes place on 5 to 9 February 2024 in-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

​Cost
​​​​Early Bird: R955​​0 Standard: R9950 Late Joiner: R1025​0​
​​​Requirements
Delegates must be computer literate ​and competent to register for this course. 
​Target audi​ence
Postgraduate students, supervisors, and researchers interested in acquiring quantitative research skills and techniques. This course is especially useful for participants who make use of surveys or want to conduct secondary data analysis based on survey research.​ 
​​What to brin​g​?​
The course will take place in a designated computer user area. Participants are required to bring their own laptops with the software installed. Please contact the ADA office should you need assistance. Email: adainfo@sun.ac.za 
​Mode
In-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS)
 ​
Course Description
During this course, participants will be introduced to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) – one of the most widely used social statistical packages in the world. It needs to be emphasized that this is an introductory course, ideally suited for first time users or participants with limited experience with the software program. Participants should be computer literate and competent as this is a computer-based course with an emphasis on skills transfer.  
 
This short course focuses specifically on the knowledge and skills required for quantitative data analysis. The broad objectives of this course are to provide participants with an understanding of the logic of quantitative data analysis and to give participants the opportunity to develop the practical computer skills required for data analysis.​ 

Course Outcomes
When delegates have completed this course, they should: 
  • Be familiar with the layout and basic functioning of SPSS 
  • Be able to create and maintain a database 
  • Be able to do a summary analysis of a data set: produce frequencies, descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations and comparison of means 
  • Be able to manipulate data: recode variables, and construct a variable 
  • Be able to graphically illustrate data using a variety of chart options 
  • Be able to interpret and present the ensuing results 
The following aspects are covered: 
  • Levels of measurement, creating and editing a data file, transporting a file from Excel 
  • Univariate analyses: Frequencies and summary statistics 
  • Bivariate analyses: Cross-tabulations and comparison of means 
  • Inspecting variables: Recoding variables, computing variables, splitting files, and selecting cases 

Course Material
Class slides; homework exercises and homework memo. No prescribed textbook. 

​Course Format
The course will be presented as a five-day workshop​.​ The presenter will cover the content of the course during the two morning sessions (from 09:00 – 13:00). Delegates will have an opportunity to practice their quantitative analysis skills every afternoon (from 14:00 – 16:00). 




Course 13. Mixed Methods: From Design Towards Practical Implementation 

​Presenters​
Prof Catherine Comiskey (Trinity College, Dublin University, Ireland)
​Duration
5 day​ course 
Course takes place on 5 to 9 February 2024 in a hyflex format, i.e., Online on Microsoft Teams OR in-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

​Cost
​​​​​​In-person: Early Bird: R955​​0 Standard: R9950 Late Joiner: R1025​0
Online: Early Bird: R7250 Standard: R7950 Late Joiner: R815​0​​​​

​​​Requirements
Participants should have a rudimentary understanding of the process of research (Master's level). It would be optimal to bring an idea for a research project and topic that we can refine and work on throughout the course. 
​Target audi​ence
The course is designed for postgraduate students, those intending to do a doctorate, academic staff and those with a monitoring and evaluation role within services, policy or practice. ​
​​What to brin​g​?​
Laptop, any raw data or study protocol  
​Mode
Online on Microsoft Teams OR In-person at the Stellenbosch In​stitute for Advanced Study (STIAS).
 ​
Course Description
In this hands-on one-week workshop, delegates will learn how mixed methods research combines quantitative with qualitative research methods within the same study. The workshop will include exercises on understanding your own predominant research epistemology, coherently combining different research methods, minimising risk in combining approaches and addressing issues of quality. Throughout the workshop we will focus on practical implementation and participants will be encouraged to apply their thinking and learning to their own research. Particular attention is paid to the practicalities of using a range of methods and tools in one study and the implications for data collection, analysis, triangulation, interpretation, validity/reliability/trustworthiness and generalisability. 

Course Outcomes
The course will enable researchers to: 
  • Come to know the meaning, key features and varieties of mixed methods research
  • Appreciate the types of research questions that can (not) be addressed using a mixed method approach
  • Think critically about the potential and limitations of mixed methods research
  • Appreciate the key challenges of mixed methods research and discuss different ways of addressing these in practice
  • Critically assess existing research and publications that use mixed methods
  • Learn about the different stages of implementation and how they relate to your work
  • Discuss your own research proposals with the course tutor and other researchers

Course Material
Course materials will be made available on the online platform, SUNOnline. Limited hardcopy materials will be provided. Worksheets, exercises/tasks and class notes will be provided online and/or printed and distributed during the classes.​ ​

​Course Format
The course will be presented as a five-day workshop in a hyflex format, i.e., this course will be available both live online and in-person. 

Course 14. Academic Writing for Publications: An Introduction 

​Presenters​
Prof Anthony (Tony) Onwuegbuzie (University of Cambridge)
​Duration
5 day​ course 
Course takes place from 12 to 16 February 2024 online via Microsoft Teams​. Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

​Cost
Early Bird: R7250 Standard: R7950 Late Joiner: R815​0​​
​​​Requirements
Participants should have a rudimentary understanding of the process of research (Master's level).
​Target audi​ence
This course will benefit beginning scholars, emerging scholars, and experienced scholars.
​​What to brin​g​?​
Laptop with Microsoft Teams
​Mode
Online on Microsoft Teams
 ​
Course Description
This hands-on one-week course will provide a step-by-step guide to publishing empirical and non-empirical (i.e., conceptual, theoretical, and methodological) research works. Moreover, the objective of this course is to provide information that helps beginning scholars, emerging scholars, and experienced scholars to create an active research enterprise for exemplary research that will advance their careers, hence this course being coined as Project CAREER.

Course Outcomes

During this Project Career course, delegates will be able to:

  • Identify a viable research/thesis topic and conceptualise multiple empirical and non-empirical research problems associated with this topic
  • Select the best outlets for manuscripts
  • Conduct a Comprehensive Literature Review (CLR) and write a quality CLR report
  • Write a quality research/thesis proposal
  • Write up qualitative findings
  • Write up statistical findings
  • Use visual displays to enhance the quality of writing
  • Write non-empirical (i.e., conceptual, theoretical, methodological) manuscripts
  • Understand the role of computer-assisted software programs for enhancing the quality of writing
  • Proof-read their own manuscripts and those of others
  • Write a timely and non-defensive response to the editor's request for a revision
  • Understand the standards and guidelines for publishing works​

Course Material
Course materials will be made available on the online platform,​

​Course Format
The course will be presented as a five-day workshop. The course will be extremely interactive in nature. Participants will be expected to participate actively in the learning process. This requires participants to engage in learning activities during and outside working hours. The course will involve whole-class instruction (via the use of PowerPoint slides and relevant academic works), whole-class discussion, group assignments, and individual assignments.


Course 15. Qualitative Research Design and Implementation: Principles and Practices

​Presenters​
Prof Wayne A. Babchuk (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA) 
​Duration
5 day​ course 
Course takes place on 12 to 16 February 2024 online via Microsoft Teams​. Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

​Cost
​​Early Bird: R7250 Standard: R7950 Late Joiner: R815​0​​
​​​Requirements
This workshop will be taught as an (advanced) introductory course. A general understanding of research methodology may be helpful as we will compare key aspects of qualitative research to more historically accepted quantitative methods.
​Target audi​ence
This course will benefit participants who want to learn more about and fine-tune their skills in qualitative design and implementation​. The course will have a strong holistic and interdisciplinary focus and draw upon examples from the social and health sciences and education over time and across cultures. 
​​What to brin​g​?​
Laptop with Microsoft Teams
​Mode​
Online 

Course Description
Introduction to Qualitative Research Design and Methodology is an introductory course presented in two parts.  
 
Part 1 provides fundamental knowledge of several interlocking topics important to our understanding of qualitative research methodology design and implementation including:  
 
  • The history of qualitative research across disciplines; 
  • The ethics and responsible conduct of research;  
  • The epistemological or philosophical assumptions underlying qualitative designs; 
  • Key attributes and procedures of contemporary qualitative approaches including descriptive qualitative research, narrative, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, grounded ethnography, case study, and participatory action research. 
Part 2 extends our understanding of these qualitative approaches as participants learn more about the practice and conduct of qualitative research. As a community of learners, we will focus on the core processes of qualitative design and implementation including: 
 
  • Writing problem statements, purpose statements, and research questions; 
  • Qualitative sampling strategies; 
  • Data collection and analysis techniques; 
  • Validity, reliability and trustworthiness in qualitative research; 
  • Writing qualitative doctoral dissertations and turning doctoral research into professional presentations and publishable articles.  
This course will draw upon examples from participants’ own research interests that we will hone through collaborative problem-solving and instructional strategies. Upon completion of this course, participants will gain a deeper understanding of qualitative research and will have refined and practiced the skills needed to design and conduct their own studies. 

Course Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will have the skills to: 

  • Identify key traditions and eras in the history of qualitative inquiry; 
  • Recognize important ethical issues in research; 
  • Distinguish among the epistemological assumptions undergirding qualitative research; 
  • Articulate principles and practices of contemporary qualitative research; 
  • Design qualitative research studies; 
  • Develop qualitative data collection, analysis, and interpretation techniques; 
  • Describe how validity, reliability, and generalizability are addressed in qualitative research; 
  • Write evaluate, and publish qualitative research studies ​

Course Material
Course materials will be made available on the online platform, SUNOnline.

​Course Format
Introduction to Qualitative Research Design and Methodology will meet four and one-half days beginning at 09:30 daily and continue until the afternoon with group and individual exercises to complete for the next day. All instruction will be remotely delivered with a mix of live online teaching, group and individual presentations, exercises, and discussions.  
  • The presenter leads interactive discussions and facilitates the small group exercises and presentations.  
  • Delegates are expected to actively participate in all course activities and help promote a classroom environment as a community of learners throughout the workshop. Learning from peers will be an important part of this course as we jointly discuss key aspects of qualitative research design and implementation.  
  • Please plan to allocate six to seven hours per day to the course so that we can cover stated topics and meet the course objectives, apply what you have learned or incorporate feedback from the lecturer and each other. 


Course 16. ​Preparing for the PhD: First steps towards doctoral success

​Presenters​
Dr Nicoline Herman (Stellenbosch University) & Prof Susan van Schalkwyk (Stellenbosch University)​​
​Duration
5 day​ course 
Course takes place on 12 to 16 February 2024 in-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

​Cost
​​​​Early Bird: R9550 Standard: R9950 Late Joiner: R1025​0​​
​​​Requirements
Participants should have a basic understanding of the research process, including having completed studies at master’s level. It is critical to come with an idea/topic for your envisaged doctoral studies as we will work with this idea/topic throughout the week.
​Target audi​ence
The course is designed for those who are in the early phase of their PhD journey, who want to understand the background and context to the doctoral process, and who seek to take intentional steps towards setting up their own doctoral studies. 
​​What to brin​g​?​
  • Laptop 
  • A draft 2-page overview of the participant’s envisaged study.  
  • Five journal articles in hard copy that focus on an aspect of the participant’s envisaged study 
  • Details about the requirements for doctoral registration and the required format of the proposal at their respective institutions (can be electronic) 
  • ​An example of a research proposal that has successfully met the requirements of a higher degrees committee and/or ethics board (could be an example from master’s project; other research projects; from a colleague or former student) – ideally this should also be in hard copy 
​Mode
In-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS).

Course Description
In most countries, the PhD is the highest academic qualification that can be achieved. The specific goal for this hands-on, one-week workshop is to set participants on a path towards achieving this singular academic qualification. Over the course of the five days, participants will explore the following: 
  • The doctorate as an academic qualification: what it comprises 
  • The doctorate as a personal investment: what it expects of the student 
  • Research at doctoral level 
  • The Research Proposal  
  • Research design and methodology 
  • Doctoral writing 
  • Intentional steps to doctoral success ​
Course Outcomes
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: 

Day 1: Introduction to doctoral studies 
  • Position themselves within the doctoral landscape 
  • Explore ‘doctorateness’ and identity development as key to doctoral studies 
  • Articulate their individual needs and expectations in terms of selecting a supervisor  
Days 2-4: Conceptualising and preparing the Research Proposal 
  • Identify the principles and key components of a well-constructed Research Proposal  
  • Explore the role of literature in conceptualising a research project 
  • Develop a clear research question and appropriate research design 
  • Employ sound academic writing principles in the context of the doctoral thesis  
Day 5: Thinking about dissemination right from the start 
  •  Realise the importance and responsibility of effectively sharing research with various audiences utilising different platforms 
  •  Plan research with a focus on dissemination from the start: From the oral examination to the conference presentation to writing and publishing an academic article 
  • Appreciate the value of publishing from the PhD 

Course Material
Course materials will be made available on the online platform, SUNOnline.

​Course Format
The course will be presented as a five-day workshop​​. The course will feature a blend of teaching and learning styles.



Course 17. Effective Academic Writing Skills for Master's and Doctoral Candidates 

​Presenters​
Selene Delport and Paul Adebayo (Stellenbosch University, Writing Lab)
​Duration
5 day​ course 
Course takes place on 12 to 16 February 2024 in-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Delegates will be expected to be available for the programme from 09:00 - 16:30 daily (excluding tea and lunch breaks).

​Cost
​​​​​​Early Bird: R9550 Standard: R9950 Late Joiner: R1025​0​​
​​​Requirements
Ideally, participants should already have started writing their theses/dissertation.
​Target audi​ence
The course is designed for postgraduate students, particularly master’s and doctoral students busy writing a thesis/dissertation.  
​​What to brin​g​?​
Delegates are encouraged to share drafts of their own writing during the workshop, if they feel comfortable doing so. All writers and their writing will be t​​reated with kindness and respect. 
​Mode
In-person at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS).

Course Description
The facilitator takes an ‘outside-in’ approach. The facilitator will start with the general conventions of academic writing and then look at the external structure – how to build a skeleton for your text. She will then move onto the internal structure – how to pack the meat onto the bones so that you eventually have a functioning body of text.  

Course Outcomes
At the end of the course, the delegates will be able to: 
  • Develop their own writing practice  
  • Critically read their own texts 
  • Develop their skills as editors of their own texts 
  • Refine their own academic voices 

Course Material
.Course materials will be made available on the online platform, SUNOnline. Limited hardcopy materials will be provided. Worksheets, exercises/tasks and class notes will be provided online and/or printed and distributed during the classes. ​

​Course Format
The course will be presented as a five-day workshop​The course will feature a blend of teaching and learning styles. The course will start in the morning with face-to-face interactive class sessions, followed by exercises to be completed in class during the afternoon. The facilitator will be available to offer support during the afternoons. The exercises are designed to help participants work on their own writing as well as collaborate and share ideas with each other. You should allocate about 6 hours for the day (excluding breaks) to the course so that you can sufficiently go through the materials and apply what you have learned or incorporate feedback from the facilitator. 

​​​​​​​​​