By Damilola Bello
Throughout history, the driving force for development has always been a significant advancement in knowledge. Diverse communities and Nations have improved their political, cultural, and socio-economic conditions on the strength of right Information.
Global revolutions like the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution are proof of how indispensable knowledge is in fostering development at the individual and National levels. However, having the right information and knowing what to do with it does not happen by chance. It is a result of conscious, strategic, and perpetual research.
The need to research is inherent to Humans. It is the consequence of a deeply intuitive impulse to find out how natural phenomena work. The foundations of most significant studies are the consequences of this curious impulse in men. For instance, science is the study of how nature works, and technology, as an offshoot of science, has significantly upturned our world with many inventions and innovations. These inventions and innovations have extended the cognitive abilities of men, extending their influence beyond this planet. Also, through research men are continually enabled to come up with cutting-edge ideas and possibilities.
The overall effect of all these is a redefinition of civilisation as ages pass and as humans continue to evolve through conscious study. Thus, research is fundamental to the evolution of Men’s consciousness which in turn affects the realities around them.
The development of a Nation is hinged upon the depth of its study. To begin with, informed decisions and policies cannot be made without accurate reports that can only be obtained through strategic research methodologies. Research helps individuals and policymakers to know what to do and how to do it at different turns.
The result of deficient information is recurrent underdevelopment in the diverse sectors that make up a Nation and the society as a whole. To foster proper and sustainable development, intellectuals and policymakers must develop a pro-research approach toward making significant decisions and implementing any policy. Research is at the core of preparation for any project whatsoever and it is no news that proper preparation can greatly lessen the extent of failures.
Through the dynamic processes of carrying out appropriate research, many possibilities are uncovered. The research process also helps to uncover underlying problems that might not necessarily be obvious. Research can also be used to identify the right methodologies to uncover the root of the particular problem it seeks to identify- its causes, significance, and probable solutions.
Also, the latest trends in research like innovative research and innovation research have brought significant change to the act of research and have stretched the limits of traditional research methodologies. Through these trends, customised research methodologies can be applied to uncover the root causes of challenges and proffer corresponding solutions.
Thus, the Government and leading institutions should encourage young people to not just adapt to tradition but rather strive for newness through research.
The Government should also support National Research projects by providing funds. This is because funding research projects would enable innovations to be introduced into the nook and cranny of the various institutions in the Nation. Also, educators should encourage disruptive thinking and healthy curiosity among students to encourage a research culture among all. All of these and more would contribute to building National goals and achieving sustainable development.
This piece was sent by Damilola Bello.
