Experts Harp on Scientific Research to Address Economic Challenges

Omolabake Fasogbo

Experts have charged policy makers on evidence- based research in designing economic policies for nations. They maintained that research was a key antidote in solving economic challenges as well as discovering new opportunities. The experts who spoke at a workshop organised by OGE Research Initiative, also tasked those in the field of research on proper research steps that would ensure accurate outcome, in place of fact misrepresentation. 

A Professor of Accounting and Finance, Suleiman A.S. Aruwa, while speaking on the programme’s theme, ‘Research Process and Collaboration for Impact,’ stressed the role of philosophy of thesis and epistemology in research, stating that social scientists must note these for impactful research outcomes. 

“Epistemology concerns what constitutes acceptable and valid knowledge in a field of study and how it can be obtained. This is also necessary to address numerous research gaps in fields,” he explained.

For research to be impactful, the Vice Chancellor, Prime University, Prof. Muhammad A. Mainoma, advised that it must be devoid of biases, adding that researchers must carefully select their sources of information, relevant to economic or social issues being investigated. “If carried out properly, research has a lot of impact in economy and beyond. It is important for enabling economic growth and plays a large role in policy formation. It is a greater problem solving skills, provides opportunity for greater knowledge of situation and deeper understanding of disciplines,” he asserted. 

To the President of OGE Research Initiative, Prof. Godwin Oyedokun, researchers must consider most impactful methods to communicate their findings to policy-makers as to aid translation of outcomes to actions.