Course overview 

This course is designed for Afghan women who are eager to develop their research skills. It provides students with a solid foundation in research theory and offers plenty of opportunities to enhance their research competencies through practical work and individual feedback. Topics covered will include the background to research and evaluation, developing a research question, research design, values and processes, quantitative and qualitative methods, strategies for analyzing data, writing a research proposal, implementing a research project, and presenting your work in a research report.

The course combines various learning activities, including lectures, guided reading tasks, applied discussions, problem-based learning and student projects. Consequently, you will gain a comprehensive grounding through learning from your lecturer, other researchers, and your own project. By the end of the course, students will be able to plan and implement their own research projects independently. 

Expected learning outcomes

Students can: 

• describe the differences between research and evaluation, and explain the processes of generating and harnessing knowledge and the underlying values.
• describe the theoretical and practical processes of evaluation and research projects;
• establish a research gap and develop a research/evaluation question.
• write a research proposal including a state of the art review, research gap, research questions, methodology and expected outcomes.
• select and implement research methods strategically;
• analyze qualitative and quantitative data using appropriate procedures.
• present your research in writing and using images or diagrams.
• read scientific articles and evaluation reports and summarize the most important information from each.
• exercise critical thinking skills when reviewing and interpreting peer-reviewed publications and literature.

Target Audience

This course is designed for female Afghan students who have already completed a bachelor's degree in subjects such as health, education, social science, developmental science, and related programs of study. Given the Taliban's restrictions on women's education in Afghanistan, which have resulted in a ban on schooling and university attendance for Afghan girls and women, this course is essential. The course aims to promote education and motivate Afghan women and girls to pursue their studies and careers despite the challenges they face. Specifically, it aims to equip women to become researchers, as they have unique insights into society and ask relevant questions. They also have access to parts of society that have been denied access to many things in Afghanistan. By training them to be researchers, they will be able to critically analyze and explore current developments in Afghanistan and propose solutions. This will ensure that the voice of women can be heard.

Duration: Four months

Time: The course will start on 03.01.2026. The course will take place once a week Saturday from 10 am to 12 pm Kabul time. In addition to the online meeting

Instruction Language: English. Participants need to read and understand English at B2-level.

Certificate

Upon successfully completing the online course, you will receive a certificate from the University of Education Freiburg's Academy for Further Education in Germany.

Organizers: This course has been organized in collaboration with the Working Group Afghanistan Freiburg, SAIH, and the Academy for Further Education Freiburg.

Lecturer: Dr Stefanie Harsch (ORCID profile) is an experienced researcher and lecturer from the University of Education Freiburg. She has conducted several research projects in Afghanistan, Germany, and Kenya, and has taught medical students, master students in Global Urban Health and Afghan development workers and students research methods and evaluation. She is very passionate about supporting young women in developing their research and evaluation skills.

Enrollment

To enroll, click the following link: (not active any more)

If you have any questions, please contact M. Baqer Zaki at  baqer.zaki@ph-freiburg.de.