| Number of credits and Teaching Hours |
| |
The total number of courses for the diploma is 10 with 3 credit hours each. The number of teaching hours for each course is 60 hours (including lectures, assignments, group work, exams and final research project). The total number of teaching hours for the diploma is 600 distributed as follows: |
|
| Courses |
Number of Courses |
Credit Hours |
Teaching Hours |
| Core |
7 |
21 |
420 |
| Elective |
2 |
6 |
120 |
| Thesis |
1 |
3 |
60 |
| Total |
10 |
30 |
600 |
|
| |
| Description of Courses |
| A) Core Courses (7 courses equivalent to 21 credit hours) |
| |
| 1.Development Challenges in Arab Countries and Introduction to Social Research (3 cr.) |
| Introduction |
| Despite the efforts of Arab countries to resolve development issues, several concerns remain. Arab countries have in common most of these issues and concerns, as they share the same geographic location, language, cultural norms and traditions. The advent of the new millennium prompts efforts to understand the main obstacles hindering development and influencing populations in this region. Knowledge and capacity building are the major wheels to run the process. The course provides students with the basic knowledge and understanding of the concepts of development and progress in the region. It also aims to push the role of social research in guiding policy to the forefront as the tool to understand the challenges in Arab countries. |
| |
| Objectives |
| The main objectives of the course are to: |
- Highlight the development challenges in Arab countries;
- Introduce the social factors and their relation to social justice;
- Stress the role of social research as a double edged sword in that it acts as a potent tool to provide evidence for policies, planning and implementation, as well as an essential means for the evaluation of implemented policies and programs.
|
| Content |
| The course covers the following topics: |
- Development challenges and social justice
- Millennium development goals and the progress in Arab countries
- Social determinants of health and health equity
- Social science research methods
- •Ethics of social research
|
| 2.Quantitative Research (3 cr.) |
| Introduction |
| With the dawn of the 21st century, those who work for development face the daunting challenge of promoting social justice. Meeting this challenge will require evidence-based practice to guide policies and programs. Quantitative research provides information to build evidence. Collecting, analyzing and synthesizing data makes information relevant to decision making. Quantitative research has developed tremendously over the years and constitutes the cornerstone for providing evidence. This course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of quantitative research methods. Students will combine the concepts and methods of social science, epidemiology, statistics, and demography into quality scientific research product. The course places special emphasis on development and equity measurements. |
| |
| Objectives |
| The main objectives of the course are to: |
- Provide fundamental knowledge and understanding of quantitative research methods
- Introduce to the various data sources and the available data sets in Arab countries
- Enhance capabilities to collect, process, describe, analyze, interpret and disseminate research results
- Develop skills in the use of development and equity measures
|
| Content |
| The course covers the following topics: |
- Quantitative research methods
- Sources of data in Arab countries
- Data management and analysis
- Interpretation and dissemination of results
|
| 3.Secondary analysis of raw data with practical application using SPSS (3 cr.) |
| Introduction |
| Arab countries have wealth of raw data sets that can respond effectively to multiple policy-related questions. However, researchers often miss the importance of reanalyzing such data sets to respond to pending research questions. Secondary analysis is the re-examination of existing data sets. It is used either to investigate new research questions or to re-study previous research questions using different analytical methods. The course aims to introduce students to ssecondary analysis and its use as a tool to respond rapidly to pending research questions. |
| |
| Objectives |
| The main objectives of the course are to: |
- Strengthen ’ knowledge and skills in secondary analysis of data sets;
- Promote researchers’ skills in data analysis using statistical computer package;
- Rectify competence of students in interpreting and presenting research results.
|
| Content |
| The course covers the following topics: |
- Secondary analysis methods
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Application using SPSS computer package
|
| 4.Qualitative research (3 cr.) |
| Introduction |
| Quantitative and qualitative research methods are complementary tools. Quantitative research allows for objectivity, quantification, and precision. Qualitative research goes beyond a simple numerical description and allows for a deeper understanding and interpretation of the phenomena. The integration of both of methods is recommended for a better understanding of social phenomena; as they are usually complex and require the use of more than one approach. The course aims at introducing qualitative research as tool for in-depth understanding of phenomena and setting recommendations for policy decision making. |
| |
| Objectives |
| The main objectives of the course are to: |
- Familiarize students with the basics of qualitative research
- Introduce the basic concepts and skills focusing on research experience in the Arab world
- Enhance the capability of students to read, handle and analyze qualitative material
|
| Content |
| The course covers the following topics: |
- Theoretical premises, basics of hypothesis building and design in qualitative research
- Interviewing, observation and focus group discussions as qualitative research methods
- Research management and analysis in qualitative research
- NVIVO computer package for qualitative research analysis
|
| 5.Evaluation and Policy Recommendations (3 cr.) |
| Introduction |
| Policy makers rely on research evidence to make decisions concerning change of policies or introduction of new ones. Evaluation is both the beginning (what should be changed or introduced?) and the end (is policy effective and efficient?) of a policy process. The course points out to the fundamental role of research in guiding policy by providing evidence for decision making and evaluating existing policies and interventions. |
| |
| Objectives |
| The main objectives of the course are to: |
- Bridge the gap between researchers and policy makers
- Introduce evaluation as a fundamental tool for guiding policies/programs with special emphasis on impact evaluation
- Enhance the capability of students to conduct impact evaluation
|
| Content |
| The course covers the following topics: |
- The policy cycle, process, components and discourses.
- Use of population projections in social planning
- Evaluation methods in social research
|
| 6.Seminar: Developing a research proposal (3 cr.) |
| Introduction |
| Developing research proposal is the first step for conducting research. Whenever a researcher intends to perform a study, it is essential to have a written document to describe the study in detail. A research proposal is a research protocol submitted for the purpose of obtaining fund for a research project. A research proposal is a sophisticated mechanism of selling ideas. Gaining approval for a research proposal needs acquiring good research knowledge; strong management and marketing experience; and competent scientific writing skills. The course helps students in combining all these talents. |
| |
| Objectives |
| The main objectives of the course are to: |
- Promote research knowledge and skills
- Familiarize students with the basics of developing research proposals
- Enhance skills in writing research proposal
|
| Content |
| The course covers the following topics: |
- Stage of developing research idea and questions
- Fund raising for research
- Research management
- Preparing research budget
- Scientific writing for research proposals
|
| 7.Seminar: Writing thesis (3 cr.) |
| Introduction |
| The se of computer packages is essential in all stages of research. The various computer packages have various roles, all of which wind up in quality scientific research. The course introduces a package of three computer softwares that are friendly-user, necessary for presentation of research results, formula calculations and organizing literature. |
| |
| Objectives |
| The main objectives of the course are to: |
- Enhance students skills in presentation of research results
- Promote students skills in producing descriptive statistics, computing equations and facilitating calculations
- Enhance students’ skills in literature search and organization
|
| Content |
| The course covers the following topics: |
- Literature review
- Thesis structure and content
- Scientific writing for thesis preparation
|
| B) Elective Courses (2 courses equivalent to 6 credit hours) |
| |
| 1.Skills development in computer package use (3 cr.) |
| Introduction |
| Despite the efforts of Arab countries to resolve development issues, several concerns remain. Arab countries have in common most of these issues and concerns, as they share the same geographic location, language, cultural norms and traditions. The advent of the new millennium prompts efforts to understand the main obstacles hindering development and influencing populations in this region. Knowledge and capacity building are the major wheels to run the process. The course provides students with the basic knowledge and understanding of the concepts of development and progress in the region. It also aims to push the role of social research in guiding policy to the forefront as the tool to understand the challenges in Arab countries. |
| |
| Objectives |
| The main objectives of the course are to: |
- Highlight the development challenges in Arab countries;
- Introduce the social factors and their relation to social justice;
- Stress the role of social research as a double edged sword in that it acts as a potent tool to provide evidence for policies, planning and implementation, as well as an essential means for the evaluation of implemented policies and programs.
|
| Content |
| The course covers the following topics: |
- PowerPoint use in presentation of research results
- Excel use in preparing tables and charts; computerizing equations and making calculations; preparing budget; and producing descriptive statistics
- EndNote use in searching the literature, organizing references and inserting the bibliography in scientific documents
|
| 2.Skills development in statistical computer package use (3 cr.) |
| Introduction |
| Quantitative research relies on the use of statistical computer packages. Many of which are used worldwide. Learning such packages enhances students abilities to analysis data and perform advanced statistics. The course provides students the opportunity to learn two widely used statistical computer packages. |
| |
| Objectives |
| The main objectives of the course are to: |
- Introduce students to widely used computer packages
- Develop students skills in sample size calculation
- Enhance students skills in data entry and analysis
- Promote students skills in analysis with special focus on advanced statistics
|
| Content |
| The course covers the following topics: |
- EPI-INFO computer package use in sample size calculation, data entry and analysis
- STATA computer package use in data analysis with special focus on equity measurements
|
| 3.Geographic information system (GIS) and its role in research and policy decision making (3 cr.) |
| Introduction |
| Over the years, the use of geographic information system (GIS) in research has become a significant feature. GIS plays various roles throughout the research process. The course provides students the opportunity to build knowledge on GIS and its use in research as well as develop skills in its application to their research activities. |
| |
| Objectives |
| The main objectives of the course are to: |
- Build general understanding of GIS and its use in research
- Gain facility in the concepts, design and terms of GIS
- Apply a range of different GIS methods in research
|
| Content |
| The course covers the following topics: |
- GIS an overview
- GIS use in research
- Application using ARC GIS computer package
|
| 4.Writing scientific article (3 cr.) |
| Introduction |
| Scientific articles are the channels to communicate research to the scientific community. The course provides students the opportunity to publish their research projects in peer reviewed scientific journals and highlight the challenges in their countries. |
| |
| Objectives |
| The main objectives of the course are to: |
- Increase production of research results
- Enhance students skills in publishing research results
- Enhance students’ skills in writing scientific articles
|
| Content |
| The course covers the following topics: |
- Role of scientific articles in communicating research results to the scientific community
- The structure and content of scientific articles
- Writing of scientific articles
|
| 5.Writing Policy brief (3 cr.) |
| Introduction |
| Policy briefs are means of communicating research results to wide array of audiences as officials, bureaucrats, politicians, etc. A Policy brief presents the problem, proposes a solution, and offers compelling recommendation. The course provides students the opportunity to prepare policy briefs as an effective means for disseminating research results. |
| |
| Objectives |
| The main objectives of the course are to: |
- Introduce students to how do policy briefs fit into the efforts to address the challenges in supporting research use and advocacy
- Enhance students’ skills in writing policy briefs
|
| Content |
| The course covers the following topics: |
- Role of policy briefs in communicating research results to wide array of audiences
- The structure and content of policy briefs
- Scientific writing of policy briefs
|
| C) Thesis and Final Project (equivalent to 3 credit hours) |
| |
| Introduction |
| Actual research practice is the key for strengthening knowledge and enhancing skills. This course provides students the opportunity to practice what they have learnt in generating a scientific quality research product. |
| |
| |
| Objectives |
| The main objectives of the course are to: |
- Build research skills through actual practice
- Produce research results responsive to the region’s needs
- Set research recommendations specific to the context in Arab countries
|
| Content |
Students enrolled in the diploma are expected to submit a thesis by the end of the year in the program. Thesis is expected to incorporate both theoretical and empirical components. It is an opportunity for students to work on an area of concentration of their interest benefiting from interdisciplinary nature of the SRC projects in a wide range of development concerns and different disciplinary backgrounds of SRC faculty. SRC current projects cover many areas including reproductive and public health, health inequity, poverty alleviation, gender studies, social and public policy as well as social justice.
Students are expected to produce high-quality, policy-relevant research within several areas of concentration that focus on development challenges in Arab countries. They also have the unique opportunity of benefiting from the data that was collected by SRC over the years in different projects as well as conducting field research.
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