The five-day training workshop on Data Analysis and Experimental Designs conducted by lecturers from the Institute of Statistics of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) provided the participants a thorough discussion of the design techniques for experiments, appropriate survey questionnaire, methods of probability sampling for surveys, statistical analysis, and the use of infographics in data presentations. Aside from the lectures, the participants were given exercises to appreciate and apply the topics learned. The participants also visited the cassava experimental station of the Institute of Plant Breeding of UPLB for a demonstration of an actual experimental design. The participants noted the proper spacing of each crop and number of crops per plot, among others, to obtain a good result for the experiment.
The training on Writing Thesis and Dissertation Proposals was another mentoring activity conducted by Dr. Evelyn Mae T. Mendoza, UPLB Professor Emeritus and NAST Academician, and lecturers from the UPLB College of Development Communication. It introduced the basic principles of writing thesis and dissertation proposals to help the participants transform their research topics into a full research proposal. The training was a mix of lectures, discussions, presentations, and critiquing of the participants' outputs.
The UPLB Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension coordinated both training workshops, which are part of SEARCA's regular offerings for its scholars to build their capacities to do quality research and assist them in completing their degrees on time.
