SWRC Research Assistant Training - Pilot Project
Banner Photo Source: https://dreamina.onelink.me/yKT4/3kb3hqae
The Social Work Research Centre (SWRC), Faculty of Social Work, at the University of Regina has recently launched a SWRC Research Assistant Training – Pilot Project. It will be offered from September to December 2026 and January to April 2027.
The intention is to bring research resources into one platform to introduce students to the tools required for conducting literature reviews and surveys, cleaning and analyzing data, understanding ethical research, engaging 2SLGBTQIAP+ participants, and Indigenous research training that is necessary for working in research. The outcome is that students will understand what researchers are looking for when they post research assistant positions and allow the student to demonstrate their knowledge of what is involved when conducting research.
Additinally, in further support of research, the SWRC Research Assistant Training – Pilot Project will offer webinars and modules designed to better prepare and encourage students as research assistants, as well as provide a pool of skilled candidates for researchers to access when conducting research projects. Essentially, by involving students in the research process, it contributes to the development of future researchers who, in turn, will strengthen society through their knowledge, compassion, and action.
The RA Training it is meant to be very flexible. You can work at your own pace. If students need to extend into the next semester, that is an option as well. Additionally, there are no assignments with this course, only check your knowledge quizzes at the end of each module for learning purposes not for grading. It is a combination of videos, readings and presentations with training courses and workshops such as Covidence, Dedoose, SPSS, ethical research, FNUniv’s Building Research Relationships with Indigenous Communities (BRRIC), and OCAP.
The following research-related webinars and modules will be offered:
Live Webinars:
Digital Research Skills Certificate Program - Archer Library at the University of Regina
Since these webinars are LIVE and are supplementary to the modules, if you are unable to attend any of them, please contact swrc@uregina.ca. We can find an alternative pre-recorded session or waive it entirely. Your classes and studies will always come first.
UR Courses Modules:
- Research Overview
- Literature Review Tools
- Conducting Surveys
- Cleaning & Analyzing Data
- Ethical Research
- Research with 2SLGBTQIAP+ Participants
- Indigenous Research Training
- Research Training Opportunities
Benefits:
- Provides a pool of trained SW students to allow internal hiring of research assistants
- Benefits for researchers of having access to higher-quality research assistants
- Students will receive multiple training certificates and an overall pilot project certificate of completion
- Students can promote themselves as being part of the pilot project in which they provided valuable evaluation feedback towards the research assistant training's further development and increased accessibility.
Program Requirements:
University of Regina student with preference given to Social Work students. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. There is no cost for this training.
Duration:
Offered in Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 semesters. Training takes 12 weeks and requires approximately 20-25 hours of dedication. All live webinars and modules are to be completed by the last day of Module 10. Please contact swrc@uregina.ca if more time is required.
Please note - there are certificates awarded for the live webinars and throughout the modules for completion of specific training such as live webinars (graduate students only), SPSS data analysis software, Indigenous communities and OCAP training etc. However, ALL students will receive an overall certificate for the completion of the SWRC Research Assistant Training - Pilot Project.