Organized by the RRPP Local Coordination Unit in Kosovo, Centre for Political Courage, between 13 and 15 of September 2012 took place in Prishtina a workshop on “Theory and practice of sampling in the social sciences”.
The workshop was conducted by Prof. Dr. Marco Steenbergen and by Kushtrim Veseli, PhD candidate at the Chair of Political Methodology, University of Zurich. In total 18 RRPP supported researchers from Western Balkan countries attended the workshop. About 2/3 of participants were female, mainly PhD candidates.
In the two day workshop participants were trained on major sampling designs of qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methods. Practical aspects such as sample size planning and relative strengths and weaknesses of certain methods were broadly discussed. Moreover within the workshop were addressed problems of missing data and implications of different quantitative sampling designs for statistical analysis. Followed by group exercises participants were introduced to the use of statistical software package “STATA” and its sample capabilities.
This workshop contributed to further exchange and strengthening of research capacities in the Western Balkan countries.