New outputs from from the DRA project

The Doing Research Assessment (DRA) project is now completed. The project's dissemination efforts have produced several outputs.

1. Project report freely downloadable here (international release) and here (local release).

2. Infographics that summarise the key findings are here.

3. The dataset generated by the project has been published open-access.

4. A research article based on the project is forthcoming in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications.

Abstract

Nigeria has a very large research system, with nearly 200 universities which employed more than 60,000 academic staff at the end of 2019. The country is also one of Africa’s largest producers of scientific research across all disciplines, surpassed only by South Africa and Egypt. In the social sciences in particular, Nigeria is Africa’s second largest producer of published research, after South Africa. However, the country’s social science research (SSR) production does not match the size of its SSR system. Using mixed methods, we come up with two important reasons for this: (i) research inputs are low, mainly because research is poorly funded and researchers devote too little time to research as a result of poor organisational climate, and (ii) the research support system is weak. No single institution currently has the clear mandate to centrally coordinate SSR in Nigeria. Consequently, research efforts are often duplicated and the limited research resources are spread too thin. Moreover, logistical support for research is missing or inefficient in most organisations. Therefore, improving research productivity in the country would require much stronger research coordination and wide-ranging improvements in the research climate.

5. You can watch the full video of the official launch of the report where Nigeria's Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation gave the opening remarks (full text here). The full presentation slides at the launch can also be downloaded as well as the Q&A.

6. A high-frequency dissemination webinar series was organised in March 2021. A total of eight (8) topics were discussed in four (4) webinars by local and international experts.

Webinar 1

I. Research Quality and Predatory Journals (Prof Remi Aiyede, Dept of Political Science, University of Ibadan)

II. Combatting Plagiarism (Dr Temilade Sesan, CPEEL, University of Ibadan)

Webinar 2

I. Effective Research Communication (Nyasha Musandu, CommsConsult)

II. Effective use of the Print and Electronic Media for Research Dissemination (Adejuwon Soyinka, The Conversation Africa)

Webinar 3

I. Effective Stakeholder Engagement (Prof Olu Ajakaiye, African Centre for Shared Development Capacity Building)

II. Enhancing the Political Value of Research (Prof Willie Siyanbola, Centre for Energy Research and Development)

Webinar 4

I. Gender Issues in Social Science Research in Africa: patterns, trends and action recommendations (Dr Damilola Agbalajobi, Department of Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University)

II. Gender gaps in social science research leadership in Africa: implications for quality and sustainability (Dr Glenda Kruss, Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators)

Full videos are available on YouTube.