Capacity Building on Social Science Research Methods for Effective Social Extension Work with SorSU

The Social Development Research Center (SDRC), in cooperation with the Office of Research and Development and Office of Extension and Training Services of Sorsogon State University (SorSU), successfully hosted a capacity-building workshop on July 9, 2024. The workshop focused on “Empowering Communities: Social Science Research Methods for Effective Social Extension Work.”

SDRC and SorSU formalized their research partnership with a three-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). This agreement was signed by Dr. Homer J. Yabut, Director of SDRC, and Dr. Ryan V. Dio, Vice President for Research, Extension and Training, on the morning of the Capacity Building Workshop.

Dr. Dio emphasized that the capacity-building initiative stemmed from the three-year MOA, aiming to equip the state university with the necessary skills for conducting research funded both internally and externally. This collaboration also opens avenues for SorSU to engage in national research studies alongside SDRC. Dr. Yabut highlighted the research center’s objective for its 45th Anniversary focusing on diversifying social changes, addressing social issues, empowering stakeholders through collaborative research, and fostering partnerships with various institutions and organizations to amplify the social impact of the research studies.

During the workshop, Dr. Myla M. Arcinas, an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Behavioral Sciences at DLSU, delved into various methodologies for executing effective social extension research, particularly within the local communities in Sorsogon. She also elaborated on how an initial social extension can be transformed into a publishable research and vice versa. In the afternoon, grouped participants developed potential research extension proposals, which were presented to offer insights into the possible funding agencies and organizations.

This capacity-building workshop marks the initial step in the collaborative partnership between SDRC and SorSU. Future workshops are anticipated as SDRC endeavors to cater to SorSU’s research and social extension needs.