Sub-category - Indepth Research Institute (IRES)

Agricultural Research and Development Course


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We are proud to offer this course in a variety of training formats to suit your needs. We use the highest quality learning facilities to make sure your experience is as comfortable as possible. Our face to face calendar allows you to choose any classroom course of your choice to be delivered at any venue of your choice - offering you the ultimate in convenience and value for money.

December 2024

Date Duration Location Fee Action
2 Dec - 20 Dec 15 days Nairobi KES 165,000 | $ 1,785 Register

Introduction

The Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) course is the capstone designed to culminate participant’s experiences in agriculture, based on the pathway of study they pursued. Woven throughout the course are projects and problems based in practical applications and designed to develop and improve employability skills of students. Students will further enhance research, critical thinking, and teamwork skills as they expand on content knowledge from previous CASE courses. Participants will work to solve complex, real-world problems through a focused research project. This process will include conducting research, data analysis and communication, and the development of new products.

Duration

15 Days

Target audience

Agricultural research officers


Course Level:

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.

Related Courses


Course Administration Details:

METHODOLOGY

The instructor-led trainings are delivered using a blended learning approach and comprise presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web-based tutorials, and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professionals and trainers in these fields. All facilitation and course materials will be offered in English. The participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

ACCREDITATION

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued an Indepth Research Institute (IRES) certificate certified by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).

TRAINING VENUE

The training will be held at IRES Training Centre. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and lunch. All participants will additionally cater to their travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

ACCOMMODATION AND AIRPORT PICKUP

Accommodation and airport pickup are arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Training Officer.

TAILOR-MADE

This training can also be customized to suit the needs of your institution upon request. You can have it delivered in our IRES Training Centre or at a convenient location. For further inquiries, please contact us on:

PAYMENT

Payment should be transferred to the IRES account through a bank on or before the start of the course. Send proof of payment to [email protected]

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