Local Economic Development Research Methodologies For Project Implementation Training

Learning Outcomes

• Apply appropriate research methodologies to identify local economic development opportunities and challenges.
• Design a research framework that aligns with project objectives and community needs.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to inform project implementation decisions.
• Evaluate the impact of local economic development projects using research-based indicators.
• Demonstrate the ability to integrate research findings into project planning and execution.
• Implement monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track project outcomes and adjust strategies.

Target Audience

Local government officials, economic development practitioners, project managers, and community development professionals involved in planning and implementing local economic development initiatives.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Practicals

Overview

Learners apply research methodologies in a simulated LED context, including designing instruments, collecting data, analysing results, and presenting findings. The practicals reinforce theoretical concepts and build hands-on skills for real-world LED project implementation.

Practical Activities

• Practical 1: Research Instrument Design — Learners work in groups to design a questionnaire and interview guide for a hypothetical LED project (e.g., assessing local business needs). (4h)
• Practical 2: Data Collection Simulation — Learners conduct mock data collection using their instruments: administer surveys to peers and conduct simulated interviews. (4h)
• Practical 3: Data Analysis and Interpretation — Learners enter collected data into Excel, perform descriptive statistics, and code qualitative responses for thematic analysis. (4h)
• Practical 4: Presenting Research Findings — Learners prepare a brief presentation summarising their research process, findings, and recommendations for an LED project. (4h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total

Component	Out of	Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored)	100%	30%
Daily Average (multiple choice)	100%	20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice)	100%	50%
Final Total	—	100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

How it works

• Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
• Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
• You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
• If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.

Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates	Discount
5	3% off
10	6% off
15	9% off
20	12% off
25	15% off
30	18% off
50	30% off
75	35% off
100	40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.