Widening Participation in Higher Education in Ghana and Tanzania

Research capacity building

The research teams comprise experienced and newer researchers. Building capacity in research in higher education is a central concern of the project. A range of capacity building activities were integrated within its activities to facilitate the development of a range of research skills and competencies.

Structured training in research methods and analysis

The overall capacity building programme of structured training focused on the project's primary research methods. It included training for research teams in statistical data collection and analysis, life history research, interviewing, qualitative data analysis, Equity Scorecards and action research, as well as introductory training on software packages used within the project e.g. Endnote and NVIVO. Structured training took place every six months, ensuring that capacity building support was provided at key stages of the research activities. The training programme was designed by Professor Louise Morley and Dr. Fiona Leach, and was delivered for the research teams in Ghana and Tanzania in partnership with Professor Lihamba and Professor Opare, when members of the Sussex Team visited the University of Dar es Salaam and the University of Cape Coast. As well as participating in in-country training, the Research Officers from both countries also participated in an intensive programme hosted by the International Doctor of Education (EdD) programme in Sussex during July 2007. The programme offered in Sussex included project-centred training as well as opportunities to participate in sessions with a broader focus associated with the EdD.

Ongoing support to research practices

Research capacity was also built through the project's iterative, collaborative practices. Throughout the course of the project, all activities, including the design of the research tools and analysis of the data, were discussed, revised and finalised across the research sites.

Building capacity within the wider research community through collaborative structures

The Equity Scorecard Working Groups in each country helped the project build research capacity beyond the research team, and cascade competencies within the case study institutions and into wider organisations. Dissemination seminars ensured that the project's findings were analysed, discussed and revised through a range of different fora.

Additional materials available to download:

Postgraduate Students

Capacity-building of the two postgraduate students attached to this project:

1. Christine Adu-Yeboah, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Doctor of Education (EdD), 2011

Christine published in the Widening Participation in Higher Education in Ghana and Tanzania: Developing an Equity Scorecard project's Special Issue: Research in Comparative and International Education, 2011, 6(4) on "African Higher Education: Researching absences, equalities and aspirations". Published December 2011.

Adu-Yeboah, C. and Dzama Forde, L. (2011): Returning to Study in Higher Education in Ghana: Experiences of mature undergraduate women. Research in Comparative and International Education, 6(4), pp 400-414

Christine was the lead researcher in Ghana on the Teacher Preparation in Africa (TPA) research project funded by the Hewlett Foundation, USA and coordinated by the University of Sussex, UK, 2010-2011

Christine was a member of the systematic review team on 'What are the impacts and the cost effectiveness of strategies to improve performance of untrained and under-trained teachers in the  classroom in developing countries?' Funded by AusAid and coordinated by the University of Suusex, UK, 2011-1012

Christine was offered a 13 day consultancy for the dissemination of TPA research findings in Ghana funded by the Hewlett Foundation, USA, 2012

Christine is currently Coordinator of the Centre for Research into Quality Primary Education in Ghana (CRIQPEG), University of Cape Coast, Ghana

2. Christowaja Mtinda, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
MA in Educational Research and Evaluation, 2011

Christowaja has now entered politics and is currently Shadow Minister for Education in Tanzania