Objectives
- Conduct skills-based research methods workshops at various levels from basic to advanced, customized as needed for various research activities
- Conduct courses in grantsmanship to encourage and prepare applications for external funding
- Provide support between workshops with research projects
- Provide support for efforts to obtain external grants
- Help set up the Research Centre at MECIT
Background
The Vision of MECIT is “Inspiring Creative Minds” and the MECIT Mission is “Excellence in developing human resources, creating knowledge, and active community engagement for the immediate society and the world at large through enhanced student experience.” One of the five stated MECIT values is: We commit ourselves to the nation and its culture, intellectual inquiry and the environment.
By reading the words and phrases in italics above it is evident that the institution has placed a high value on the role of research in its academic ethos. It is pertinent to keep in mind that the OSQA requirements for a University College and the Oman Research Council have provisions and standards for research in institutions under their jurisdiction.
Institutional Goal 5 of MECIT is to “To engage in research that aligns with and informs institutional practices”. MECIT has created a Department of Postgraduate Studies and Research and has formulated the Research Strategy 2009-14 which spells out 12 strategies for promoting research in the institution. Under Strategy 3 which describes the “Framework for integration with teaching and learning”, two bullet points are found:
- Integrating research and scholarly inquiry with teaching and learning
- Encourage research that helps professional practice directly and indirectly
For an educational institution, these are perhaps the most significant goals of research.
MECIT Research Workshops
Workshop I provides staff members an introduction to the significance placed by MECIT on Research and will guide them into the area of research.
Workshop II is at a basic/introductory level that outlines the steps in approaching a research project. It includes basic quantitative and qualitative tools. At the end of this workshop, the participants would be able to prepare a draft research proposal.
Workshop III provides the knowledge and skills to put together a full research proposal, and start an actual research project.
Workshop IV provides specific quantitative and qualitative skills, customized to some extent to the skills needed for individual research projects.
