Course Objectives

At the end of this IRES training course, you will learn how to:

• Expand the network of research centres to cover the poorest marginal agro-ecological zones
• Improve agricultural research and its response to the needs and priorities of smallholder farmers by establishing and strengthening research-extension-farmer linkages

Support establishment of an agricultural research fund

Course Outline

1. Defining Agricultural Research and Development

Agricultural Advances

1. Research and development of new ideas and innovations are used to solve problems, provide goods, and increase productivity in agriculture.
   • Identify significant advances in agriculture and determine the need that drove the advance. 
   • Determine current needs and problems in agriculture.
2. Documentation of plans and processes is used by researchers in the development of new ideas and products.
   • Organize notebooks to record coursework and laboratory projects.
3. Solving complex, real-world problems includes defining the problem, proposing a solution, developing a protocol, collecting and analyzing data, and communicating results.
   • Identify the steps of the problem-solving process in a historical product as well as their specialization project.

Project Management

1. Efficient project management is based on an awareness of personal strengths.
   • Complete the Gallup StrengthsFinder survey and identify their talents.
   • Develop a personal growth plan to strengthen their talents and determine how their talents will drive them in the course and future academic options.
2. Project management requires planning, scheduling, self-motivation, and prioritization skills.
   • Perform a decision-making exercise. 

2. Problems and Solutions

Defining the Problem

1. Agricultural researchers are faced with a multitude of local, national, and global issues.
   • Research agricultural problems at local, regional, national, and global levels and select three to five subtopics to refine.
2. Brainstorming is a technique used to define and refine topics and problem statements.
   • Utilize brainstorming techniques to develop focused topics for potential research ideas.
3. Practical considerations, such as time, motivation, materials, and support, are constraints when selecting a problem to solve.
   • Identify and discuss constraints associated with their potential research project.
4. Writing a well-defined and accurate problem statement guides research and helps determine if the solution has solved the problem.
   • Write a problem statement for their research project.

Proposing Solutions

1. Finding solutions to a problem are impacted by social, legal, financial, and environmental considerations.
   • Consider impacts of research and development surrounding a specific issue.
   • Develop a list of potential solutions and use a decision matrix to determine the best solution to research.
2. A feasibility study may be used to determine the viability of new ideas and innovations.
   • Complete a feasibility study and evaluate a proposed research project.
3. A proposed solution must be written to be testable or solvable.
   • Write a solution proposal to submit for approval.
4. Partnering with professionals in the field can validate and guide research when solving a problem.
   • Identify potential professional resources and develop a professional network.

3.Methodology

 Planning Ahead

1. Carefully planned step-by-step instructions guide the problem solving process.
   • Practice writing and following step-by-step instructions for simple daily activities. 
   • Write a draft of step-by-step instructions for the research and development project.
2. Project scope is determined by the resources available.
   • Research and identify uses, safety practices, and limitations for proposed tools, materials, and equipment.
3. Researchers use a literature review to curate a collection of information on a topic.
   • Summarize research and information pertinent to the research project into a literature review.

Data Collection

1. The problem dictates the type of data needed for valid results.
   • Compare commonly used data collection instruments.
2. Selection of appropriate data collection instruments is necessary for valid data.
   • Develop protocol for data collection in a research and development project.
3. Standards are necessary when collecting data.
   • Identify standards to use for collected data from a research and development project.
4. An ongoing evaluation process monitors the validity of the solution.
   • Plan how to evaluate a research and development project. 
   • Conduct research according to protocols and plans developed.

4.Reporting Data

Results and Conclusions

1. Researchers use graphs and charts to interpret, analyze, and organize data.
   • Complete an online statistics tutorial. 
   • Apply statistical analysis to sample data.
2. Researchers collect and analyze data to solve a problem.
   • Organize, interpret, and analyze data collected through the research and development process.
3. Conclusions of research are derived from data.
   • Formulate a conclusion statement for the research and development process.
4. Project reflection encourages expansion and continuation.
   • Write a reflection on the completed research project.

5.Communication

Communicating Results

1. Communicating results to a target audience disseminates the body of research for further use.
   • Identify the target audience for research results. 
   • Review articles for professional communication techniques.
   • Write a scientific abstract for a research paper.
2. Sharing a professional body of work promotes ongoing research.
   • Submit a formal research paper to peers and a professional research committee for review prior to publishing.
3. Researchers use various media to communicate results professionally.
   • Select and develop an alternative dissemination method for research results.

Going Forward

1. Society is impacted by new solutions to problems.
   • Increase public awareness of the research problem, solution, and product.
2. A portfolio of work communicates all aspects of research.
   • Complete a self-evaluation of performance, skill acquisition, and contributions to agriscience. 
   • Compile a professional portfolio with the body of work completed in this course and other works of significance.