Some university teachers have identified research as a tool the government can use to solve many challenges. They spoke at a seminar organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State capital. MMADUKA ODOGWU (Political Science) reports.
HoW can insurgency be addressed? It is, according to some university teachers, through research. This, among others, were the major discussion at a seminar organised by the Faculty of Social Science of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
A United States-based lecturer, Prof Charles Okigbo, and his wife, Prof Carol, spoke at the seminar, which objective is to use practicable research approach to proffer lasting solution to the nation’s problems. They sent a paper, which was read on their behalf by Dr P.J. Eze.
The faculty’s Dean, Prof A.N. Nnonyelu, chaired the event.It also had Prof Dung Pam Sha of the Department of Political Science, University of Jos (UNIJOS), Prof Hyacinth Ichoku, Department of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof Isidore Obot, Department of Psychology, University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Prof Ogoh Alubo , Department of Sociology, UNIJOS and Prof Ikenna Onyido, Director, Centre for Sustainable Development, UNIZIK in attendance.
Prof Okigbo of the Department of Communication, North Dakota State University, said extensive social research methods were key to solving social problems in the country. He spoke on Data gathering in the world of social science.
He said: “It is impossible to have understanding of everyday problems facing our nation without continual efforts at discovering new knowledge and applying such to our perplexing situations. Problems such as kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, teenage pregnancy and students’ unrest among others require systematic social science research approaches. Solutions to these problems are often hidden in the value system and beliefs of the people.
Giving his scholarly approach, Prof Ichoku, who spoke on Methods of data analysis and interpretation in the social sciences, criticised the empiricists’ view of research method, which he said held no regard for rationalism. He said such thinking was inimical to development of appropriate methods to achieve scientific inquiry and interpretation of societal problems.
His words: “The apparent triumph of empiricist epistemology over rationalism in the last two centuries witnessed in the phenomenal growth of the physical sciences in the West led social scientists to believe that there is only one valid approach to seeking truth and interpreting reality – the empirical scientific method. Economics is best social sciences today because it achieved success in using elegant mathematical models to express its concepts and exalt the quantitative methodology.”
Speaking on Ethical issues and challenges in social research in Nigeria, Prof Pam rated the country’s ethical attitude towards research low, stressing that it had contributed negatively to the efficient, effective research capable of yielding positive output.
He added: “The pre-occupation of this section is to examine how Nigerian universities have conducted researches that are ethically and methodologically sound. There is no claim that this reflection will completely tell the story of the state of research in Nigeria. In Nigeria, many universities do not have research policies, ethics regulation and institutional review board. A large percentage of social science researchers are not aware of issues around research ethics. For instance, a few researchers know how to handle research on human subjects. A substantial number of universities do not have research policies that specify the need to observe ethical principles in research.”
The dons unanimously agreed that if proper research could be conducted on the cause of the problems facing the nation, the solution may not be far away.
Prof Nnonyelu said he was satisfied with the quality and status of the speakers, saying their intellectual resourcefulness and scholarly papers would enrich discussion on how the nation could solve its myriad of problems.
