Because of the high level of interest generated by the seminar, SEARCA provided a simultaneous video relay of the seminar as it transpired at the Umali Hall, to its Drilon Hall at another floor. The seminar was also webcast live via www.searca.org/webcast with 78 remote audience accessing it.

Ms. Maria Dutarte, scientific programme coordinator for the social sciences at IFS, oriented the participants on the IFS research grants program.  Two IFS senior advisers, Prof. Sten Hagberg of Uppsala University, Sweden, and Dr. Elias Ayuk of the International Development Research Center (IDRC) in Dakar, Senegal discussed guidelines on research proposal writing for the social sciences.

Ms. Dutarte said that as of May 2005, the IFS had given 225 research grants to researchers in the Philippines, ranking second in the number of grantees in Asia.

Prof. Hagberg pointed out the value of fieldwork in any form of research. Researchers, especially social scientists, should always be aware of the ethical concerns surrounding his or her study. “Unlike natural sciences, social sciences do not have laboratories. Researchers can influence their project sites,” he said.

On the other hand, Dr. Ayuk emphasized the importance of a clear and feasible methodology. He further advised that researchers should be careful in choosing appropriate methods for their studies rather than looking for sophisticated approaches/methods.

Likewise, he cautioned researchers to make sure that they clearly explain how the data will be collected and used. This is very important and useful for the screening committee members to decide whether a research proposal is worth funding or is rejected. Finally, he challenged the participants to come up with more research proposals employing what he termed the Q2 approach that is, applying both qualitative and quantitative approaches.

The IFS was established as a non-governmental organization based in Sweden in 1972. Its mission is to contribute in strengthening the capacity of developing countries to conduct relevant and high quality research on the sustainable management of biological resources. The IFS identifies promising young scientists and supports them in their early careers through research grants.

The seminar participants mostly came from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, but also included researchers and faculty members from various institutions and universities around Los Baños and adjacent provinces including Metro Manila.

From L to R: Ms. Maria Dutarte, scientific programme coordinator for the social sciences (IFS); IFS senior advisers Dr. Elias Ayuk and Prof. Sten Hagberg; Dr. Maria Celeste Cadiz, Training Manager (SEARCA); Ms. Dina Andersson, programme administrator (IFS); and Ms. Mayla Viray, Training Specialist (SEARCA).