Research Training Needs Assessment Report 2026

Abstract

In June–July 2026, the International Association for Social Research Dynamics (IASRD) conducted a Research Training Needs Assessment to inform the design of its forthcoming Research Skills Development Programme. A cross-sectional online survey, administered via Google Forms, was completed by 56 respondents, predominantly students and early-career researchers based in Pakistan and the United Kingdom. Although 34 of 56 respondents (61%) had received formal research methods training through a university, 31 of 56 (55%) rated their skills at or below beginner level, and the most frequently reported challenges were applied rather than theoretical: finding reliable sources and data analysis (each 16 of 55; 29%), literature review and publishing research (each 14 of 55; 25%), and using analysis software such as SPSS and NVivo (13 of 55; 24%). Demand for structured, accessible training is strong. Qualitative Research Methods attracted the highest course interest (24 of 56; 43%), followed by Advanced Research Methods (34%), with AI-assisted research methods (30%) and Quantitative Research Methods (29%) close behind. Self-paced online courses were the preferred format (22 of 55; 40%), and 27 of 56 respondents (48%) can commit one to two hours per week. Certification emerged as the strongest motivational factor: 40 of 56 (71%) said a completion certificate would definitely increase their motivation, and a recognised certificate was the most frequently selected enrolment factor (49%). Access barriers are substantial: only 21% have institutional access to paid training platforms, while similar proportions are unaware of options (25%), mainly rely on free resources (25%), or find paid platforms too expensive (21%). The survey also revealed institutional opportunity: 32 of 56 respondents (57%) had not previously heard of IASRD, yet 31 of 56 (55%) expressed definite interest in publishing in the Journal of Social Research Dynamics (JSRD); the proportion exceeds 90% when 'maybe' responses and existing JSRD authors are included. This report recommends a phased, free, certificate-bearing Research Skills Development Programme of six modular self-paced courses, prioritising applied data analysis and software skills, incorporating AI-assisted research methods, and culminating in an academic writing and publishing pathway into JSRD. An implementation roadmap for August 2026 – December 2027 is presented in Section 9, with eight strategic recommendations in Section 8.