
We recently had the privilege of running a two day workshop in The CollegeΒ of William and Mary in Β Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. The session was organized by Dr. Pam Eddy, of the School of Education who is an Associate Professor and Fulbright ScholarΒ who happened to have conducted primary research in Ireland in 2009 and more particularly, in our hometown of Dublin in the Dublin Institute of TechnologyΒ (DIT).Β Β This two day session was designed to build capacityΒ amongst staff in WM who are involved in qualitative data analysis and who are interested in developing their skills in Computer Aided Qualitative Data AnalysesΒ Systems (CAQDAS).
We met a fantastic group of people who were from a range of disciplines and displayed an exceptionalΒ work ethic (we couldn’t get them to take their breaks) and a strong desire to up-skill themselves in the currentΒ technologies so as to optimize their qualitative data.The setting was beautiful as was the hospitality and it was a wonderful experience to to work with such a dedicated and professional group who were so passionate about their respective researchΒ projects.
Some of them are coming back to Ireland next month and we look forward to meeting and greeting them upon their return.
Β Iβve attached a few pictures from the session last week (click here to see pics).Β As you can see, we had a full house!Β I told Ben, the session presenter, that this training was probably the best Iβve been to for professional development. The training will not only be useful for those in attendance, but will have an expansive effect as the faculty and research team leaders work with graduate students and others on projects.Β What is particularly helpful about the session is the after training support providedβmany of the doctoral students in attendance were particularly grateful for this feature as they enter dissertation phase.The session has spurred on other conversations as well.Β This fall, Iβll follow up on this training session and work with a group interested in qualitative research questions and support to form an interest group. The cross campus participation in the training session was particularly useful as it helped make some connections about research projects and ways to conduct analysis.
Pamela L. Eddy, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
The College of William and Mary
School of Education, Office 3082
301 Monticello Avenue
Williamsburg, VA 23187
http://wmpeople.wm.edu/site/page/peddy