Training: “Introduction to the analytical work and applied research”

Training: “Introduction to the analytical work and applied research”

Rules of training organization

1. Conditions and procedure for admission of learners
2. Participation in the training programme requires prior registration. Registration takes place via email mentioned in the programme description. For any programme related questions, learners may contact the training provider (Institute of Baltic Studies) via the contact email indicated in the programme information.
3. Required registration information includes: learner’s name, telephone number, email address, country of origin, education background, fields of interests, and a short description of motivation and interest in research or project-based work.
4. The training provider may conduct an interview to assess the learner’s motivation, availability, language skills, and suitability for the planned activities. The admission decision is communicated to the applicant by email.
5. Before the start of the programme, learners receive organisational information by email, including the schedule, format of meetings (on-site or online), learning environment(s), and the agreed learning activities plan.
6. Withdrawal from training: registered learners may withdraw from the programme at any time by informing the training provider as soon as possible by email. A certificate of participation (tõend) is issued only if the learner has completed at least 80% of the agreed programme workload and participation in guided activities and independent work can be documented. At the end of the programme, learners are required to complete a feedback form or participate in a structured feedback discussion.

• Language of instruction and communication

The language of instruction is English.

Communication with the training provider takes place in English through on-site or online meetings or via email/phone.

• Tuition fees

The programme is free of charge for selected participants, as the costs are covered by project-based funding (CeMeWE project). The training provider does not charge participants any tuition or training-related fees.

Training is offered as part of the international EU-funded project “Central Baltic Mentoring for Immigrant Women seeking Employment”, which supports the labour market integration and professional development of migrant women in Estonia.

• Conditions and procedure for exclusion from training

• A learner may be excluded from the programme if they do not follow data protection rules, fail to participate in the agreed guided meetings or do not complete the agreed learning activities plan without prior notice or justification.
• A learner may also be excluded if unjustified absences or non-compliance exceed 20% of the agreed programme workload.
• Continuation of studies after significant non-compliance is possible only following additional consultations between the training provider and the learner.
• The training provider excludes learners who disrupt the learning process, violate public order, or behave in a physically or emotionally abusive manner towards other learners, trainers, or supervisors.

• Income tax refund on tuition fees

As this programme is free of charge, income tax refund on tuition fees does not apply.

• Other provisions

• Rights and obligations of learners: learners have the right to receive the training and guidance described in the curriculum and the obligation to participate in the programme in the agreed scope and comply with the learning activities plan.
• Rights and obligations of trainers and supervisors: trainers and supervisors are obliged to provide the training and guidance described in the curriculum and to create conditions that support the achievement of learning outcomes.
• Dispute resolution: disputes related to the content or organisation of training are resolved primarily through mutual discussions between the parties. In all matters of dispute, learners may submit a written inquiry to the training provider via the contact email.
• Issuance of documents: upon completion of the programme, learners receive a certificate of participation (tõend). Certificates are issued electronically and signed digitally or affixed with a qualified electronic seal in accordance with the training provider’s procedures. Duplicate certificates may be issued if necessary, and the training provider keeps records of issued documents.

• Training volume and duration

• Training volume is calculated in hours (1h = 60 minutes).

• The total volume of the programme is 40 hours, of which 15 hours consist of guided activities and 25 hours of independent work. The duration of the programme is two weeks.

The Institute of Baltic Studies reserves the right to make changes to the training schedule or format (on-site, online). Registered learners are informed of any changes by email.

• Cancellation or postponement of training

• The Institute of Baltic Studies reserves the right to cancel or postpone the training programme for justified reasons, including insufficient number of participants or circumstances beyond the control of the training provider.
• Registered learners are informed of cancellation or postponement by email at the earliest opportunity.
• In the event of cancellation, learners may be offered participation in a future programme or another appropriate alternative.

• Participation in training

• Learners are expected to participate in the programme in a timely manner in accordance with the agreed schedule.
• The programme uses modern, adult-learner-oriented learning methods to ensure practical learning experience.
• During training activities, learners are expected to maintain professional conduct.
• Recording, filming, photographing, or sharing training-related content without prior permission is prohibited.

Quality assurance principles

Quality assurance conditions and procedures for curricula of training

• The training provider prepares the curriculum in cooperation with trainers and selects learning methods that are appropriate to the objectives of the programme and the target group.
• Particular attention is paid to ensuring that practical tasks support the learning objectives and are suitable for adult learners with diverse backgrounds.
• Based on feedback received from programme participants, necessary changes and improvements are made to the curriculum and learning activities.
• Curricula are reviewed, supplemented, and updated regularly in accordance with identified needs and participant feedback.

Quality assurance conditions and procedures for trainers and supervisors

• The curriculum includes a description of the trainers’ and supervisors’ qualifications, education, and/or relevant professional experience. Trainers and supervisors have higher education and substantial practical experience in the relevant field.
• Trainers may also be persons who hold higher education in another field or who have demonstrable competence and experience in the subject area addressed in the programme.
• The quality of trainers’ work is assessed on the basis of oral and written feedback provided by participants.
• Where necessary, trainers are provided with feedback and recommendations aimed at improving the quality of guidance and training delivery.

Quality assurance conditions and procedures for the learning environment

• Training activities are carried out in learning environments selected according to the specific tasks, including on-site in Tartu and on online platforms.
• Physical learning spaces, where used, are suitable for the planned activities and provide adequate space, lighting, ventilation, and technical equipment.
• Online learning environments are selected to ensure accessibility, effective communication, and the possibility for guided interaction between learners and supervisors.
• The training provider reviews the suitability of learning environments and tools and makes improvements where necessary to support learning.

Procedures for collecting feedback on continuing training

• Initial feedback from participants may be collected during the programme through informal discussions and ongoing communication.

• At the end of the programme, participants complete a feedback questionnaire or take part in a structured feedback discussion.
  
  
• Feedback is collected on the content of the programme, the quality of guidance and supervision, learning materials and tools, organisation of the training, and the learning environment.

• Feedback received is analysed and used to make necessary improvements to both the content of the programme (curriculum) and its organisational aspects, with the aim of continuously improving the learning process.

Training curriculum

Training name: Introduction to the analytical work and applied research
Provider: Institute of Baltic Studies (MTÜ Balti Uuringute Instituut)

The language of instruction is English. The programme will be implemented at the premises of Institute of Baltic Studies in Tartu, and online.

The programme volume is 40 hours, which are distributed as follows:

By the end of the programme, participants will have gained:

• initial experience of working in a project-based environment (research- and/or communication-related tasks);
• basic familiarity with methods used in qualitative and quantitative research (data collection and simple analysis);
• practical experience of professional communication and collaboration in an Estonian organisational context;
• increased clarity about their own skills, interests, and next steps towards employment or further training in Estonia.
• an introductory understanding of the Estonian labour market and work culture;

Participation conditions

The programme is intended for adult women with a migrant background living in Estonia.
No previous work experience is required; motivation and interest in learning, research, or project work are valued.

Participants need working proficiency English language.

Places are limited. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and selected candidates may be invited to an interview.

Volume and duration

Total volume: 40 hours, including:
– 15 hours of guided activities (meetings, supervision);
– 25 hours of independent work (practical tasks, analysis and reflection).

Duration: two weeks.

Learning activities (examples)

Participants may work on one or more of the following, with guidance:
– qualitative and quantitative research tasks (data collection and simple analysis);
– topics may include (1) migrant integration in Estonia and (2) gender-based violence in migrant communities;
– supporting the planning and delivery of seminars and other events;
– communication tasks, including social media engagement.

The concrete topics depend on the projects run during this particular time at IBS.

Completion document

Participants receive a certificate of participation (tõend) if they complete at least 80% of the agreed programme volume. The programme does not include formal assessment.

Additional information / contact

Contact details for the programme (email and phone) are provided in the programme announcement.

Funding

Training is offered as part of the the international EU-funded project “Central Baltic Mentoring for Immigrant Women seeking Employment”, which supports the labour market integration and professional development of migrant women in Estonia.

Information on trainers

Trainers
Institute of Baltic Studies (MTÜ Balti Uuringute Instituut) – “Introduction to the analytical work and applied research”

Kristjan Kaldur – trainer (research methods; project-based analysis; migration and integration)

Kristjan Kaldur is a programme manager at the Institute of Baltic Studies with long-term experience in migration and integration research, applied policy analysis, and project management. He holds a Master’s degree in Comparative Politics from the University of Tartu and is a doctoral candidate in political science. In this training programme, he supports participants’ learning related to research-oriented project work, including the use of qualitative and quantitative methods, analysis of secondary sources, and structured analytical thinking. He has extensive practical experience in designing and leading studies that combine interviews, focus groups, surveys, and data analysis, as well as in guiding learners and professionals in migration- and integration-related topics.

Nastja Pertsjonok – trainer, analyst (research methods, communication) and inclusion practitioner

Nastja Pertsjonok has spent the last ten years supporting the inclusion of different ethnic groups in Estonia, including involvement in event organisation, service development, and policy-related processes. She combines think tank experience at the Institute of Baltic Studies with hands-on work supporting newly arrived immigrants, which has given her long-term competence in both designing inclusion approaches and implementing them in practice. In this programme, she supports participants’ learning related to research-oriented project work with the focus on the qualitative methods, and also supportes their learning in practical tasks such as event organization and outreach activities, while helping to ensure a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Kristiina Toomik – trainer/supervisor (research methods; analysis)

Kristiina Toomik is an analyst-expert with a strong applied research background. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences (Internal Security) from the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences (2025). Her role in the programme is to provide methodological guidance and supervision during independent tasks and analysis sessions, ensuring that participants can safely and confidently try out basic quantitative and qualitative approaches in a project-based work setting.