Sharjah Libraries Launch Scientific Research Incubator To Enhance Student Research Skills

The Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) have introduced the "Scientific Research Incubator" project in partnership with the Universities of Sharjah, Kalba, and Khorfakkan. This initiative aligns with the 7th annual Majors Discipline Exhibition and is designed to provide secondary school students, from grades 10 to 12, with hands-on research skills through an engaging programme conducted within library settings.

Students are grouped into teams of 20 to 30 participants for a five-week training session. This programme is held at the Kalba, Wadi Al Helo, Khorfakkan, and Dibba Al Hisn libraries and will conclude on 5th October. The project aims to introduce students to academic research fundamentals and ethics while teaching them effective search techniques using Boolean logic and scholarly databases.

Kalba and Khorfakkan branches are conducting weekly workshops over five weeks. The first workshop, "Exploring Scientific Research," familiarised students with essential research concepts. It distinguished between academic and general information and guided students in forming research questions.

The second session, titled "Smart Research," focused on teaching students how to use Boolean logic (And–Or–Not). It also covered navigating academic databases and identifying reliable sources to enhance their information-gathering abilities.

In the "Methods and Ethics" workshop, students delved into qualitative, quantitative, and experimental research types. They began crafting preliminary research plans while learning about key ethical principles in research.

Eman Bushulaibi, Director of Sharjah Public Libraries, stated: "This project reflects our belief in the strong link between libraries and scientific research. Libraries are the natural setting for researchers, and the collections and databases they provide support every academic endeavour. Through the Scientific Research Incubator, we are offering school students early exposure to this environment and practical experience with academic research tools, helping to build their confidence and prepare them for university and future careers."

The upcoming "Writing and Referencing" workshop will instruct students on structuring a research report. It will also cover using citation tools effectively while providing training on presenting findings to an audience.

This initiative not only promotes independent learning but also encourages self-driven inquiry among students. By participating in this programme, students gain valuable skills that prepare them for higher education and future career paths.

With inputs from WAM