The Navigating Educational Pressures and Stressors (NEPS) Project has trained eight research assistants in field data collection at a one-day session held at the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED).
The session followed an earlier four-day training on standardised mental health research interviewing and assessment administration. It focused on strengthening participants’ technical and practical skills in field data collection, including standardised, neutral and participant-sensitive questionnaire administration.
Participants were trained to use tablets and REDCap for secure data capture and submission in accordance with approved study protocols and ethical requirements, including informed consent, assent, confidentiality, safeguarding and privacy protection.
The training also covered the identification of sensitive issues, symptoms of concern and referral triggers under the study protocol, preparing the research assistants to respond appropriately to issues that may arise during fieldwork.
Prof. Daniel Ansong, Mr. Bernard Arhin and Mr. Robert Annorhene facilitated the training through demonstrations, role-play, structured practice, case-based discussions, supervision and feedback.
The programme was delivered in four sessions. Mr. Arhin led a hands-on REDCap session covering tablet use, navigation, data entry, submission and troubleshooting, while Prof. Ansong led discussions on safeguarding procedures, legal frameworks, vulnerable groups and participant protection.
The Principal Investigator, Prof. Obed Brew, shared experiences in safeguarding and offered practical guidance on protecting participants and responding to sensitive situations during fieldwork.
Mr. Annorhene assessed participants through question-and-answer sessions and a final field-readiness assessment to determine their preparedness for supervised data collection.
The exercise is expected to produce assessment records, a pilot report documenting observations, challenges and corrective actions, and a final readiness list identifying research assistants approved for deployment or requiring additional support.
