Synopsis       

The 8th annual Socio-Cultural Training workshop was held March 22-27, 2004 at the Royal University of Phnom Penh.  This year the workshop was taught by Dr. Cindy J. Lahar, a Fulbright Scholar visiting the university from YCCC in Maine, USA.  The focus of this year’s workshop was on Qualitative Research Methods.  Nearly 50 people participated in the six-day training, including over twenty RUPP faculty from ten different departments, administrators from various offices at RUPP, 11 graduate students from the Buddhist Institute, and researchers representing the Royal University of Fine Arts, Sihanouk Raj Buddhist University, ANLWC, RAC and RUPP’s Center for Population Studies.

This intensive training moved the participants through a series of topics in an active learning format.  Participants worked on understanding of the nature of qualitative research methods and developing good research questions before moving on to advanced qualitative research techniques (individual and group interviews, observations and participatory approaches, action research, etc) and methods for analyzing qualitative data (content analysis, grounded theory, framework analysis, etc).  A strong focus on research ethics as well as developing skills for proposing and presenting one’s research was woven throughout the workshop.  A final session covered the complimentary nature of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. 

Although some participants were challenged because much of the training was in English, the fact that the training materials were translated into Khmer was greatly appreciated. What few complaints there were focused on the hot weather: the workshop was held in a room with no air-con.  Despite the oppressive heat, the participants actively participated in lecture sessions as well as group activities. By the end of the workshop, each participant had the opportunity to develop and to present both individual and team-based research plans. 

When asked if the participants would recommend the workshop to others, nearly everyone responded with a resounding yes.  In fact, many suggested that the workshop should be longer, and said that they would recommend it highly to their colleagues and students.

Other comments included: “I want to participate in this workshop every year” and this workshop is “perfect with clear explanation and organization.  I suggest we extend the workshop into two weeks” and “this workshop brings clear images and understanding of qualitative methods to participants.  I hope this workshop will be continuously organized.”

Dr. Lahar has been invited to attend the Socio-cultural Research Congress in November and looks forward to the opportunity to see the fruits of the workshop in the research presented by Cambodia’s growing research community. 

Dr. Lahar at the workshop:                                            Group work by participants: