






































Microsoft Word - 2 Sociocultural determinants hindering academic research among social workers in Nigeria.docx


________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
AJSW, Volume 12 Number 4 2022                                                                                                Ramsey-Soroghaye B. N. & Ogbanga, M. 
      

African Journal of Social Work, 12(4), 2022                                                                                                                                      153 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

  

       Publisher                                                                                                                                                        African Journal of Social Work 
Afri. j. soc. work 

© National Association of Social Workers-Zimbabwe/Author(s) 
                                                            ISSN Print 1563-3934     
                                                         ISSN Online 2409-5605 

 
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International License 

 
Indexed & Accredited with: African Journals Online (AJOL) | University of Zimbabwe Accredited Journals (UZAJ) | SCOPUS (Elsevier’s abstract and citation database) | Directory of Open 

Access Journals (DOAJ) | Society of African Journal Editors (SAJE) | Asian Digital Library (ADL) | African Social Work Network (ASWNet) | Department of Higher Education and Training 
(DHET) - South Africa | SJR | CNKI – China  | Journal Publishing Practices and Standards (JPPS) | EBSCO 

Socio-cultural determinants hindering research among social 
workers in Nigeria 

 
Blessing Ngowari RAMSEY-SOROGHAYE and Mina OGBANGA  

ABSTRACT 
Research is done in Nigeria just as it is done in any other country. However, there are socio-cultural determinants that hinder 
social workers from actively carrying-out research in Nigeria. The importance of research cannot be overemphasized because, it 
is in searching that we know more and learn new things. Despite this established fact, social workers in Nigeria face hindrances 
in carrying-out research. Qualitative method was used in this study. Twenty (20) social workers with either a Bachelor of Science 
(BSc.), Post Graduate Diploma (PGD), Masters of Science (MSc.) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.) participated in the research. 
This study found out that factors such as poor funding, poor knowledge of research, poor mentorship and coaching on research, 
hard-to-reach population in data collection, patriarchy systems, cultural and religious belief, limited African literatures theories 
and books on research that are indigenous in nature, discouragements from the non-utilization of results from study in policy 
formulation and programmes just to mention a few hindered social work research in Nigeria. In conclusion, the study recommends 
that measures should be put in place to checkmate these indicated hindrances in a bid to preserve and improve upon knowledge 
which is what research stands for. 
 
 

KEY TERMS: Social work, research methods, socio-cultural, determinants 
 
 
KEY DATES 
Received: March 2022 
Revised: June 2022 
Accepted: July 2022 
Published: August 2022 
 
Funding: None 
Conflict of Interest: None 
Permission: None 
Ethics approval: African Independent Ethics Committee (AIEC), Reference No. EA0227 
 
Author/s details 
Ramsey-Soroghaye B. N., Department of social work University of Port Harcourt, Choba, River State, Nigeria, blessing.ramsey-

soroghaye@uniport.edu.ng 
Ogbanga, M., Department of social work University of Port Harcourt, Choba River State, Nigeria, Mina.ogbanga@uniport.edu.ng 

 
Current and previous volumes are available at: 

 https://africasocialwork.net/current-and-past-issues/  

 
 
How to reference using ASWNet style: 
Ramsey-Soroghaye B. N. and Ogbanga, M. (2022). Socio-cultural determinants hindering research among social 
workers in Nigeria. African Journal of Social Work, 11(4), 153-162. 
 



________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
AJSW, Volume 12 Number 4 2022                                                                                                Ramsey-Soroghaye B. N. & Ogbanga, M. 
      

African Journal of Social Work, 12(4), 2022                                                                                                                                      154 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

  

INTRODUCTION  
 
Professionally, social work is a helping profession charged with duties of rendering help and proffering relevant 
and evident solutions to identified social problems. One of the best methods of identifying these social problems 
is through research. Research simply term means to search. In searching, various methods are employed to ensure 
that the research process is scientific and verifiable. Social workers make use of research to enhance their skills 
and improve their social functioning. Again, it is also through research government makes adjustments to policies 
and programmes that are of benefit to the people. Regardless of the importance and uniqueness of research certain 
socio-cultural determinants act as hindrances to social work research in Nigeria. This study therefore intends to 
examine the socio-cultural determinants hindering research among social workers in Nigeria.   

BACKGROUND 

Meaning of research 

Research includes investigations conducted to explore new facts, and its activities are significant in propelling the 
developmental process of any nation (Igiri et al., 2021). Oyesola (2010) views research as the application of the 
scientific method to attain or prove new and existing theories. He further explained that it is search, invention, 
discovery and establishment of new knowledge, facts, principles, theories and methods. It is also acknowledged 
as a systematic and objective search for knowledge, to establish theories and prove the truth of ideas, hypotheses 
and assumptions. The more we study about an existing phenomenon, the better we get in rendering solutions as 
social workers. Research is a thorough examination of circumstances, objects, or situations for the purpose of 
improving upon and adding to knowledge. Evidently, research is done in Nigeria just as it is done in any other 
country. However, there are major problems which are socially, culturally or economically inclined that pose great 
threat to carrying out proper research. The importance of research cannot be overemphasized, it is in searching 
we know more and learn new things. Research is a tool for enhancing human capital development (Chikwe, Ogidi 
& Nwachukwu, 2015). Research implies a careful examination of an object or situation for the purpose of effecting 
development and improvement. It is a way of acquiring dependable and useful information and data about a 
particular object of research as well as the analysis of the data collected in order to arrive at a valid conclusion 
(Emakoji & Otah, 2018). 

Factors affecting research in Nigeria 

Igiri et al., (2021) reported that there are factors such as motivation, gender, age, research knowledge and skills, 
academic rank, research orientation, collaboration, leadership, availability of resources, institutional missions, 
orientation, rewards, mentoring programs, and institutional research policy that affect research. Despite the unique 
importance of research, a significant number of problems hinder academic research especially as it relates to social 
work. Also, as important as research is to national growth, productivity and development, little investment and 
attention is given to it (Kumwenda et al., 2017). For instance, Nigeria’s research sector lacks necessary 
facilities/equipments and materials needed for a meaningful research (Chikwe et al., 2015). Also, persistent strike 
actions embarked on by most tertiary institutions in Nigeria affects research in the country (Emakoji &Otah, 
2018). Funding is a key player in properly conducting a research and it is at this point the hope of a potential 
researcher is dashed. A recent report revealed that a greater number of research studies carried out by academic 
staff in Nigeria are self-funded from their inadequate salaries (Ebikabowei et al., 2017). This phenomenon is  not 
just a Nigerian problem as Saric Utzinger and Bonfoh (2018) rightly observed that in most African countries, 
research funding is low (Saric et al., 2018) and this affects academic research.  

Mentoring is poorly practiced in the Nigerian research culture. Emakoji and Otah (2018) revealed that 
mentoring plays a vital role in sustainability and continuity in research and this aspect has been ignored. It is 
evident that active mentoring affords the opportunity for transfer of skills which protégés can apply in diverse 
professional circumstances, promotes productive use of knowledge, clarity of goals and roles, job satisfaction, 
career growth and success. Again, over the years Nigerians have been faced with worrisome and threatening issues 
of insecurity arising from terrorism, kidnapping, war and religious crises (Emakoji & Otah, 2018) and these forces 
seriously affect what research should be. Sadly, should these problems persist; Nigeria’s academic research will 
lose its value and true position amongst other nations. Therefore, the need to curb these seen and unforeseen 



________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
AJSW, Volume 12 Number 4 2022                                                                                                Ramsey-Soroghaye B. N. & Ogbanga, M. 
      

African Journal of Social Work, 12(4), 2022                                                                                                                                      155 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

  

determinants that hinder research would be pointed out with the aim of proffering possible solutions for better 
social work practice.  

 
Importance of Indigenous Research (IR) 

Chilisa et al., (2017) argued that African indigenous scholars, students, and non-indigenous researchers and 
scholars can benefit from exposure to the diversity of research paradigms ranging from the dominant Euro-
Western paradigms to the historically marginalised indigenous research paradigms. Khupe and Keane (2017) have 
argued that research methods that conform to indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) are underused in our research 
despite the various calls for decolonised research methods. Indigenous research stems from the call to decolonise 
knowledge validation and representation. It is an invention that comes from an Afrocentric perspective (Khupe & 
Keane, 2017). Indigenous knowledge sees culture and language as acceptable and important to research (Lipka et 
al., 2013). For research to be relevant and even improve the quality of life of the people, it needs to be rooted in 
indigenous cultural values, and languages (Talen, 2013). Research done in Nigeria has its uniqueness with what 
is done outside Nigeria. It is this uniqueness such as language, values and cultural practices that must be 
considered when social workers carry-out research. Indigenous and non-indigenous researchers are encouraged 
to adopt multi-paradigmatic research perspectives (Johnson 2015). 

This study adopts the Developmental research (DR) approach. This is because this research is relevant to social 
workers thus it has an intention of improving the lives of social workers and the larger society in the short/long 
(Chilisa, 2019). There are various studies today on search engines like Google, Google scholar, MEDLINE, 
PUBMED and so on. This shows that research is actually in place but very scare studies exist on social work 
research in Africa or Nigeria. Also, very few studies have talked on the problems of research therefore; this study 
intends to bridge that gap by examining the socio-cultural determinants hindering research among social workers 
in Nigeria. 

METHODOLOGY 

Qualitative research through a phenomenological research design approach was used for this study. Social 
Phenomenology seeks to examine experiences from social workers perspective on research in Nigeria (Cleland, 
2017). This study adopted a qualitative exploratory design as the research methodology and a semi-structured 
questionnaire approach to elicit data from participants through in-depth interviews (IDIs) for this study.  Purposive 
sampling was used to select 20 willing social workers who had a bachelor, post-graduate diploma, masters or 
doctoral degree in social work. The inclusion criteria were alumni students of University of Nigeria Nsukka, 
University of Calabar and University of Ibadan who had a social work degree, who had conducted a research and 
were willing to take part in the study. Initially, 30 social workers were contacted and sent the consent form to sign 
and return as an acknowledgement to willingly participate in the study but only 20 persons responded. Study 
participants were sent consent form on the study and those who declined one-on-one interview due to the Corona 
Virus (COVID-19) factor resorted to WhatsApp interview. Saturation which involves getting data from 
participants until there is no new information (Palinkas et al., 2015).The steps of this qualitative research include 
data collection, data analysis, coding and drawing conclusions from the raw data. Ethical approval for this study 
was gotten from African Independent Ethics Committee (AIEC) with Reference No. EA0227. In analysis the data, 
the results from the study were transcribed verbatim into English by a grandaunt of Linguistics and 
Communication studies University of Calabar, Cross Rivers state. Six theme related to this study was gotten 
thereafter and where arranged thematically. Framework analysis will also be used to determine emerging themes 
and to identify relationships between themes and responses. 

RESULTS  

Research is important for continuity and consistency in learning. Findings from this study have yielded good 
results in social work research. All the study respondents indicated fair knowledge of research. Funds, power 
supply, mentoring, language barriers, motivation were some hindrances to conducting research. Qualitative and 
quantitative researches were the two types of research known to the study participants. While indigenous research 



________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
AJSW, Volume 12 Number 4 2022                                                                                                Ramsey-Soroghaye B. N. & Ogbanga, M. 
      

African Journal of Social Work, 12(4), 2022                                                                                                                                      156 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

  

has received a massive wake-up call, majority of the study participants were of the view that research is the same 
everywhere. However, six themes were gotten from the qualitative data and are discussed below: 

Knowledge of research 

Interestingly, responses from our study show that all the study respondents have an idea on what research is.  
Research according to this study finding if properly utilized can help any country’s policy formulation and 
interventions in most cases. “Research is an intentional investigation of a subject matter with the aim of 
establishing existing facts and developing new ideas” (IDI participant; M.Sc., Social work, University of Ibadan). 
In responding to what research is, an Assistant Lecturer from the University of Calabar revealed thus: 

Research is searching for more knowledge on a particular event or phenomenon in the society. It involves 
finding answers or explanation to why things happen and also to clear ones doubt about certain 
happenings in the society (IDI participant; Assistant Lecturer University of Calabar; MSc Social work). 

New findings, new discoveries, new knowledge and information are what research entails according to a 
participant. She avowed that: 

Research basically to me as a scholar means new findings, new discoveries, knowledge, and information. 
It is actually a useful tool for learning; with research you are updated.  Research can be in different 
forms and any material can be used for research but the most important thing is the authenticity of the 
source of information.  Research from credible bodies is really useful for learning because it boosts our 
knowledge and gives us more information on any area of interest” (IDI participant; MSc Social work 
University of Nigeria, Nsukka). 

An Assistant Lecturer of the University of Calabar stated that: 

“Research is a useful tool for learning because without research scholars cannot have accurate 
information about things that occur or happen in the society. Research is important and useful because 
it aids communication amongst people and builds networks. More so, without research, we cannot make 
decisions that will influence social policies that will be beneficial to the citizens. We may also not be able 
to tackle and resolve social problems in the society if we do not conduct research to know why such 
problems exist” (IDI participant; Assistant Lecturer University of Calabar; MSc Social work). 

Another participant mentioned that: 

“Research is getting information to enable you make changes in policies especially in a country where 
it is used. Research means searching to know more, searching to get information. I think research is a 
very useful instrument for learning. Personally, I have gained, learned and gathered a lot of information 
from research” (IDI participant; Lecturer I University of Nigeria, Nsukka; MSc Social work). 

On types of research, quantitative and qualitative types of studies were the most conducted.  Participants of the 
In-depth Interviews when asked the types of researches they knew opined thus: 

“I have conducted certain types of researches like quantitative and qualitative studies with the use of 
questionnaires, surveys and interviews” (IDI participant; MSc Social work University of Nigeria, 
Nsukka). 

Another participant stated thus: 

“I have conducted a qualitative research and have served as a research assistant in a quantitative 
research” (IDI participant; Assistant Lecturer University of Calabar; MSc Social work). 

 

 



________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
AJSW, Volume 12 Number 4 2022                                                                                                Ramsey-Soroghaye B. N. & Ogbanga, M. 
      

African Journal of Social Work, 12(4), 2022                                                                                                                                      157 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

  

Similarities/dissimilarities of research in Nigeria and research in Diaspora 

Arguments on whether Nigeria research is the same as any other research in other countries engineered the need 
for this sub-theme. This study intends to know if there are any similarities and dissimilarities of research in Nigeria 
and in Diasporas. According to a respondent, there is no disparity between the type of research done in Nigeria 
and outside Nigeria. Research is research everywhere but the only little difference is that our pattern of research 
in Nigeria is faced with challenges (IDI participant; Lecturer I, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; MSc. Social work). 
Other Participants revealed thus: 

“From my little experience on the similarities and dissimilarities of research between Nigeria and 
Diasporas I would say ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. Because the foundation of research, types of research are the 
same. It is applicable everywhere. Although, the methodologies can change depending on the area of the 
study but I believe the people in Diaspora are more open to advance type of research. When I talk about 
advance research, I am looking at the scientific aspect, they have funding for research and even grants 
but in Nigeria there are limitations to research” (IDI participant; MSc. Social work University of 
Nigeria, Nsukka). 

Another participant stated that: 

“Research is the same all the over the globe but may differ in methods. The most important thing is to 
observe the ethics of research.  I don’t know how research is carried out in Diaspora but I feel that with 
the level of development over there, they may have more advanced method of conducting research 
especially with the use of electronics such as distributing their questionnaire online as compared to us 
here going to the study area to distribute it by hand. There could also be a difference in the method of 
analysing data, most people here find it difficult to use SPSS and Nvivo because they are not taught 
properly but I am sure over there they will guide researchers on how to do so and make sure they are 
perfect in it” (IDI participant; Assistant Lecturer, University of Calabar; MSc. Social work).  

Problems affecting social research 

Sadly, despite the knowledge of what research is, especially from a social work perspective, there are preventable 
factors acting as determinants that hinder research in Nigeria.  Funds, power supply, mentoring, language barriers, 
motivation, just to mention a few are hindrances to conducting research. A participant said that during her B.Sc. 
days, she didn’t find anyone to mentor and coach her on what research truly is. Her project was more of a trial 
and error pattern not until she started her MSc. programme before she knew more on research, so she thinks that 
this kind of scenario affects research (IDI participant; Social Welfare Officer BSc. Social work, University of 
Calabar).  However, the various problems affecting research are revealed thus: 

“There issues of power, lack of funds and even when you have finances it’s not sustainable, there are 
data issues and it constraints one from carrying out concrete research. Again, people are not really open 
to give you information because the system in general is problematic and in the past, people who carried 
out research previously must have been not-sincere so it gave root to people not to open up especially 
when they are not sure of confidentiality. These are some problems that hinder research in Nigeria”  
(IDI participant; MSc Social work University of Nigeria, Nsukka). 

Another participant stated that: 

“I think lack of motivation.  Motivation in this sense means that some research just ends up on the shelves, 
you have limited time. Limited time per say is that the school curriculum does not give you enough time 
and even the environment some even when carrying-out the research, sometimes there are deadlines and 
you are doing all things in a hurry and sometimes people know a research is not good enough but they 
just have to meet up deadlines and sometimes the supervisor doesn’t share the same opinion as the 
student and cannot properly guide the student in the area of research he/she is conducting” (IDI 
participant; MSc Social work University of Nigeria, Nsukka). 



________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
AJSW, Volume 12 Number 4 2022                                                                                                Ramsey-Soroghaye B. N. & Ogbanga, M. 
      

African Journal of Social Work, 12(4), 2022                                                                                                                                      158 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

  

Another participant said that: 

“Lack of competence in data analyses, difficulty in using internet facilities, money is also a problem 
because in diaspora they award grants for researchers to enable them go to the field and get all the 
materials and information they need which is hardly the case here. Some people may get the grant here 
in Nigeria but end up not going to the field, they use the money for their personal problem due to greed 
and then do arm chair research, fabricating data just to meet up. Some good researchers are also not 
encouraged because there is no money to go to the field and get quality data, some have to travel out of 
town and make commitments in the communities with the little money they have, such occurrence may 
deter one from further research. Also, the time given for research is not enough so the result is a work 
that is shabbily done that lacks merit all in a bid to meet deadline” (IDI participant; Assistant Lecturer, 
University of Calabar; MSc. Social work). 

A participant mentioned that: 

“There is difficulty is carrying-out research here. We lack the funds to conduct research unlike outside 
the country where millions are given to people to conduct research. Also, language barrier affects 
research. There are about 350 ethnic groups with different languages and you know at times it might be 
difficult to conduct research in such a scenario.  Another problem is the government; they do not utilize 
the information gotten from a research so it appears that those of us in the educational sector are just 
writing for our promotion and not for any intervention because government does not use our findings” 
(IDI participant; Lecturer I University of Nigeria, Nsukka; MSc. Social work). 

Again, a participant identified that: 

“There is poor knowledge of what research is and this affects participation in research. There is the 
issue of hard-to-reach population and this affects social research. Again, most social researches that 
deal with human respondents are faced with any challenges such as the respondents asking for financial 
obligations and refusal to give detailed information about a particular study even when they have the 
capacity to provide relevant information” (IDI participant; PGD in Social work, University of Nigeria, 
Nsukka). 

Additionally, a participant revealed that: 

“Hindrances such as tribalism, cultural and religious beliefs hinder social research.  During one of my 
field works in a rural part of Nigeria, some female respondents refused to fill out their questionnaire 
because their husbands were not around to fill their questionnaire and this was not too good for the 
study. I think the patriarchal system operational in Nigeria hinders research” (IDI participant; PhD in 
Social work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka). 

Another participant opined thus: 

“One thing I will say is that in Nigeria, in fact African, research is very limited. We have limited African 
literatures theories and books on research that are indigenous in nature and this discourages the use 
findings of the study in policy formulation and programmes” (IDI participant; Social Welfare Officer. 
BSc., Social Work, University of Calabar). 

Knowledge of what social work entails 

This research is a social work study involving only social workers however; we taught it necessary to find out if 
the study respondents actually knew what social work is and not necessarily just having degrees in the profession. 
A respondent mentioned that “social workers are helping professionals that work in myriad settings to provide 
psychosocial helps to individuals, couples, families, groups, organisations and communities” (IDI participant; M 
Sc. Social work, University of Ibadan).Other participants stated thus: 



________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
AJSW, Volume 12 Number 4 2022                                                                                                Ramsey-Soroghaye B. N. & Ogbanga, M. 
      

African Journal of Social Work, 12(4), 2022                                                                                                                                      159 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

  

“Social workers are people who help in the enhancement of the lives of persons.  They help in identifying 
the strength and weaknesses of persons to improve general well-being of a person, group of persons such 
as the aged, abused and impaired” (IDI participant; MSc., Social work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka). 

Additionally: 

“Social workers are professionals trained to help individuals who as a result of social problems cannot 
function well in the society. They exist in the society to resolve the social problems of people and to 
enhance their social functioning. They are found in various settings of the society such as schools, 
hospitals, ministries, prisons, NGOs, courts where they render selfless service to humanity” (IDI 
participant; Assistant Lecturer University of Calabar; MSc Social work). 

Importance of research to social work profession 

The importance of research to social work practice cannot be overstated.  It is in searching we know more and 
solve more problems, thus, making the society function properly.  Respondents stated that “Social workers carry 
out systematic investigations of systems and societies to aid the development of policies and practical 
interventions for people” (IDI participant; M.Sc. Social work, University of Ibadan).  Another participant said that 
“social work requires research.  It helps you know what theory, model or perspective is best to understand a 
particular problem.” (IDI participant; M.Sc. Social work University of Nigeria, Nsukka). Other participants stated 
thus: 

“Actually, social workers take part in research. This is the avenue through which they discover or 
unravel solutions to the social problems of people and also influence the implementation of policies that 
can help to curb the problem” (IDI participant; Assistant Lecturer, University of Calabar; MSc., Social 
work). 

Additionally, a participant revealed that: 

“Research relates to what social workers do because during assessment which is one of the case work 
processes in social work, the social worker makes effort to find out the what, why, where, how and when 
of a situation affecting the client. With the information gathered, it is easy to find a lasting solution to 
the problem at hand. More so, it is through asking, interrogation and communication that a fact is 
established, and this is part of research and a method used by social workers to elicit valid information 
from their clients” (IDI participant; Assistant Lecturer University of Calabar; MSc., Social work). 

Additionally: 

“Social workers are change-agents, we conduct research and the essence of research is to bring change 
in a society where things are not going well or where there is decay. For example, let’s use our 
educational system.  The essence of research is to find out why the problem is here and what causes the 
problem and the effect of the problem and at the end proffer solution to the problems or make policies 
that will bring a change to the problem. As social workers who are change-agents, we are also here to 
make policies, we are here to find-out people’s problems and we also go a long way in proffering 
interventions that bring that problem to an end.  Social workers also advocate” (IDI participant; Lecturer 
I University of Nigeria, Nsukka; MSc., Social work). 

Possible solutions in promoting social work research 

It is not enough to know what research is, measures to curb these factors hindering research must be actively 
carried-out to improve research in Nigeria.  According to a participant; “funding and favourable policies will go 
a long way in promoting and improving social research in Nigeria” (IDI participant; MSc., Social work, 
University of Ibadan). 

Another participant stated that: 



________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
AJSW, Volume 12 Number 4 2022                                                                                                Ramsey-Soroghaye B. N. & Ogbanga, M. 
      

African Journal of Social Work, 12(4), 2022                                                                                                                                      160 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

  

“Social work profession can be encouraged through research by ensuring that there are competent 
professionals in the area of research to serve as mentors. Institutions should organise workshop and 
seminars (on-the-job-training) to enable social workers enhance and improve their knowledge base 
about research. Research grants should be awarded to social workers to enable them carry out ground 
breaking research on existing and emerging social problems in the society” (IDI participant; Assistant 
Lecturer University of Calabar; MSc Social work). 

DISCUSSION  

Quite a good number of findings have been identified in this study especially as it relates to the socio-cultural 
determinants hindering academic research among social workers in Nigeria.  However, before we delve into these 
factors hindering research especially among social workers in Nigeria, other important findings in this study will 
be discussed. Research is an important tool for learning because research carried-out by credible bodies boost 
knowledge and gives proper information on any area of interest. Research means searching for more knowledge 
on a particular event or phenomenon in the society and with research you are updated. This finding is in tandem 
with that of Oyesola (2010). Oyesola (2010) views research as the application of the scientific method to attain or 
prove new and exciting theories. Findings of this study revealed that to conduct a research is to search for more 
knowledge on a particular event or phenomenon in the society. It involves finding answers or explanation to why 
things happen and also to clear ones doubt about certain happenings in the society. This finding supports that of 
Kapoor et al., (2018) who opined that research is ued to get information and obtain positive feedback. This study 
also found out that research is a useful tool for learning because without research scholars cannot have accurate 
information about things that occur or happen in the society. Research is important and useful because it aids 
communication amongst people and builds networks. This finding also agrees with that of Çaparlar and Dönmez 
(2016). Çaparlar and Dönmez (2016) in their study revealed that research is conducted for the purpose of 
contributing towards science by the systematic collection, interpretation and evaluation of data and that, too, in a 
planned manner.  

Finding from this study showed that there is no disparity on the type of research done in Nigeria and the type 
of research done outside Nigeria. According to our findings, research is research everywhere but the only 
differences are the types of challenges peculiar to our country Nigeria and it goes a long way in affecting the 
whole process of research. This could be the reason why Egbetokun et al., (2022) opined that Nigeria has a very 
large research system, with nearly 200 universities that employed more than 60,000 academic staff at the end of 
2019. This study also revealed that the foundation of research and types of research are the same as it is applicable 
everywhere. However, this study points to the fact that although methodologies vary depending on the area of the 
study but research is same everywhere in the world. Quantitative and qualitative researches were the two types of 
research revealed in this study. This could alsp be the reason why Antwi and Hamza (2015) made an attempt to 
discuss quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in his study. 

Again, the identified socio-cultural determinants affecting research in Nigeria are: locality, poor power supply, 
lack of funds, lack of data, lack of openness to research by potential participants/respondents in giving ample 
information, lack of motivation, limited time for carrying-out research most school curriculum does not give 
enough time when carrying-out the research, lack of competence in data analyses, difficulty in using internet 
facilities, lack of grants for researchers, fabrication of data, language barriers, poor knowledge of what research 
is, issues of hard-to-reach population, tribalism, cultural and religious beliefs and limited African literatures 
theories and books on research that are indigenous in nature. Consequently, our findings corroborates with that of 
Igiri et al., (2021). They reported that factors such as motivation, gender, age, research knowledge/skills, academic 
rank, research orientation, collaboration, leadership, availability of resources, institutional missions, orientation, 
rewards, mentoring programs, and institutional research policy affect research. Also, Bezuidenhout and Chakauya 
(2018) in their study revealed that funding and data sharing are two-fold factors affecting research. Amadi (2003) 
identified illiteracy, attitude of government, individuals and significant others towards research findings, secrecy 
of information, scarcity of records as problems of research in Nigeria. 

Social work profession is a research-centred profession that finds out people’s problems and possible solutions 
to these problems. This study revealed that social workers are problem solvers. They exist in the society to resolve 
the social problems of people and to enhance their social functioning. Social workers are found in settings such 
as: schools, hospitals, ministries, prisons, NGOs, courts where they render selfless service to humanity. Social 



________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
AJSW, Volume 12 Number 4 2022                                                                                                Ramsey-Soroghaye B. N. & Ogbanga, M. 
      

African Journal of Social Work, 12(4), 2022                                                                                                                                      161 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

  

workers take part in research as it is through research that they discover or unravel solutions to the social problems 
of people and also influence implementation of policies that can help to curb these identified problems.  

 
CONCLUSION 

Research relates to what social workers do and the information gathered from our research as social workers will 
go a long way in problem solving and policy formulation if findings are utilized by government and other related 
bodies. Therefore, factors such as lack of proper knowledge on research, poor mentorship/coaching on research 
methods, none awareness on who social worker are, lack of funds, hindrances with data collection such as hard-
to-reach population, patriarchy systems, tribalism and cultural/religious belief, limited African literatures theories 
and books on research that are indigenous in nature, discouragements from the non-utilization of results from 
study in policy formulation and programmes just to mention a few hindering social work research must be curbed. 
This study recommends that measures should be put in place to checkmate these indicated hindrances in a bid to 
preserve knowledge and improve upon knowledge which is what research stands for. 

  



________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
AJSW, Volume 12 Number 4 2022                                                                                                Ramsey-Soroghaye B. N. & Ogbanga, M. 
      

African Journal of Social Work, 12(4), 2022                                                                                                                                      162 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

  

REFERENCES  

Amadi, R. (2002). Research methodology and statistics. Port Harcourt: Celwil Nig. Ltd. 
Antwi, S. K., & Hamza, K. (2015). Qualitative and quantitative research paradigms in business Research: A 

philosophical reflection. European Journal of Business and Management, 7(3). 217-225. 
Bezuidenhout, L., & Chakauya, E. (2018). Hidden concerns of sharing research data by low/middle-income 

country scientists. Global Bioethics, 29(1), 39–54.  
Çaparlar, C. Ö., & Dönmez, A. (2016). What is scientific research and how can it be done? Turkish Journal of 

Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, 44(4), 212-218. https://doi.org/10.5152/TJAR.2016.34711 
Chikwe, C. K. Ogidi, R. C. & Nwachukwu, K. (2015). Challenges of research and human capital development in 

Nigeria. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(28), 44-47.  
Chilisa, B., Major, T. E., & Khudu-Petersen, K. (2017). Community engagement with a postcolonial, African-

based relational paradigm. Qualitative Research, 17(3), 326-339. 
Cleland, J. A. (2017). The qualitative orientation in medical education research. Korean Journal of Medical 

Education, 29(2), 61-71. 
Ebikabowei, E. B., Gabriel, E. B., & Ifeyinwa, C. O. (2017). Research Funding Opportunities and Challenges. A 

Survey of Academic Staff Members in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions. The Bottom Line, 30 (1), 47–64. 
Egbetokun, A., Olofinyehun, A., Sanni, M., Ayo-Lawal, A., Oluwatope, O. & Yusuff, U. (2022). The production 

of social science research in Nigeria: status and systemic determinants. Humanities Social Science 
Communications, 9(1), 1-9. 

Emakoji, M. A. &Otah, K. N. (2018). Research a prerequisite for development: Challenges in Nigeria and possible 
solutions. Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports, 2(2), 1-6. 

Igiri, B. E., Okoduwa, S. R., Akabuogu, E. P., Okoduwa, U. J., Enang, I. A., Idowu, O. O., Abdullahi, S., Onukak, 
I. E., Onuruka, C. C., Christopher, O. P., Salawu, A. O., Chris, A. O.,  & Onyemachi, D.  I.  (2021). 
Focused research on the challenges and productivity of researchers in Nigerian academic institutions 
without funding. Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 6:727228.  

Kapoor, K. K., Tamilmani, K., Rana, N. P. Patil, P., Dwivedi, Y. K. & Nerur, S. (2018). Advances in Social Media 
Research: Past, Present and Future. Information Systems Frontiers, 20, 531–558.  

Khupe, C. & Keane, M. (2017). Towards an African education research methodology: decolonising new 
knowledge. Educational Research for Social Change, 6(1), 25-37. 

Kumwenda, S., Niang, E., Orondo, P. W., William, P., Oyinlola, L., Bongo, G. N., &Chiwona, B. (2017). 
Challenges facing young African scientists in their research careers: A qualitative exploratory study. 
Malawi =Mmedical Journal : the Journal of Medical Association of Malawi, 29(1), 1–4.  

Lipka, J., Wong, M., & Andrew-Ihrke, D. (2013). Alaska Native Indigenous knowledge: Opportunities for 
learning mathematics. Mathematics education research journal, 25(1), 129–150. 

Oyesola, G. O. (2010). The contribution of research to the development of the national education 
System.http://unilorin.edu.ng/journals/education/ije/sept1988/the%20contribution%20of%20research%
20to%20the%20development%20of%20the%20national. 

Palinkas, L. A, Horwitz, S. M., Green, C. A., Wisdom, J. P., Duan, N., & Hoagwood, K. (2015). Purposeful 
sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. 
Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Service Research, 42, 533–44.  

Saric, J., Utzinger, J., & Bonfoh, B. (2018). Research productivity and main publishing institutions in Côte 
d’Ivoire, 2000-2016. Global Health, 14 (1), 88. 

 


