A day-long training titled “Entering the field: Mining diamonds through dialogues” was held on 7th May 2026, at Room 3207, Annex 3, Level 2 of the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB). The session was conducted by respectively by Professor Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, Pro Vice Chancellor, &Coordinator, UATFS, Dr. Faria Sultana, Associate Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Economics, and, Dr. Ashrafuzzaman Khan, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Science at AIUB. This training was organized under the project “Integrative Approaches at the Crossroads to Health, Poverty, and Sustainable Development,” a project under the Higher Education Acceleration & Transformation (HEAT) Project, funded by the World Bank and implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh.

The program was part of the project’s capacity-building component and brought together a diverse group of participants, including undergraduate thesis students, postgraduate students, young faculty members, and research assistants. The training focused on strengthening participants’ understanding of qualitative data collection methods in social science research.

Throughout the session, participants were introduced to the full process of qualitative data collection process. Emphasis was placed on ensuring qualitative data, maintaining ethical standards, and minimizing bias during fieldwork. Dr. Abdur Rahman especially emphasized the appropriate and responsible use of AI tools in academic writing and research Dr. Faria Sultana explained all the methods of qualitative research. Dr. Ashrafuzzaman Khan shared his work experience during data collection.

The session began with an introductory discussion on the significance of qualitative research and how it contributes to understanding human experiences, social behavior, cultural contexts, and community realities beyond numerical data.During the session, the resource persons emphasized that qualitative data collection plays a crucial role in generating in-depth insights and evidence-based findings. They explained that field-level qualitative research helps researchers understand people’s perceptions, opinions, challenges, and lived experiences in a more meaningful and contextualized manner. According to the facilitators, qualitative methods are particularly important in development programs, public health research, social studies, and community-based interventions where understanding human perspectives is essential.

The facilitators discussed several qualitative data collection techniques, including Key Informant Interviews (KII), Focus Group Discussions (FGD), in-depth interviews, participant observation, case studies, and informal discussions. Detailed explanations were provided regarding the objectives, procedures, and appropriate use of each method in different research contexts. Practical examples from real-life field experiences were also shared to help participants connect theoretical concepts with actual field situations.

Special attention was given to ethical considerations and communication strategies during fieldwork. The resource persons highlighted the importance of maintaining confidentiality, obtaining informed consent, respecting respondents’ opinions, and ensuring neutrality throughout the data collection process. Participants were encouraged to practice active listening, ask open-ended questions, and build trust with respondents in order to collect authentic and reliable information. The training also included interactive activities, group discussions, and mock interview exercises that allowed participants to develop hands-on experience in conducting qualitative interviews and facilitating group discussions.

The event was graced by the presence of  Prof. Dr. Abdur Rahman, Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Tazul Islam, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). All the dignitaries highlighted the institutional importance of the initiative and encouraged participants to learn through the training. Along with them Prof. Dr. ABM Rahmatullah, Professor, Department of Economics and Sub- Project Manager (SPM) of this project gave a brief description of the project and its capacity building deliverable.