Training
Spark has a team of social science methodologists excited to share our knowledge of research across disciplines and contexts. We build and deliver custom training and coaching to research teams, helping get everyone up to speed and working well quickly. We begin with a free consultation and cost quote billed at $150/hour and tailored to your needs. To save money, groups of more than 10 people can request a broader public training on any topic. These cost $550 for 12-15 hours of training.
We are able to do brief introductions or hone in on specific challenges and go in depth around most social science research methodology topics. For longer, more in-depth projects, we can work with a team over several years, jumping in to provide support as the team enters new phases.
Here is a sampling of topics we can offer training on:
Qualitative Methods
| Positionality and reflexivity | Interviewing | Observation | Participatory Action Research | Qualitative Data Visualization |
| Being an insider/outsider | Focus Groups | Arts-based (the range) | Activity-based | Software demos |
| Building protocols | Surveys | Facilitation | Coding | Building data collection apps |
Quantitative Methods
| Finding and analyzing the value of data sources | Data in society and misuse | Administrative Data | Value for Money Analyses |
| Data Cleaning | Bayesian Methods (the range) | Multi-level models | Data visualization |
| Any aspect of basic statistics | Time series | Big data | Software demos |
Methods for Complex Causation
| Theoretical model development | Mixing-methods | Agent-based modeling | Systematic review |
| System dynamics models | Experimental designs | Futurism methods |
Research Quality Issues
| Research data management | Developing a research question/plan | Research Ethics | Managing team work |
| Research project management | Data security | Effective literature review |
Additional Resources for Social Research Training
If you are unable to find a workshop that suits your needs, other institutions provide trainings to teach different scientific methods. Here is a list of the other opportunities that are not based in Spark:
- Institute for Social Research (University of Michigan)
- Odum Institute for Research in Social Science (University of North Carolina)
- Social Research Centre (Ontario Tech University)
- Institute for Social Research (York University)