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WHAT IS RESEARCH?

The answer to this question would depend on a lot of things.
However, depending on the perspective or context, research can be defined as an inquiry, search, review or modification of an entity or situation with a view to solving a problem, improving a situation or creating a new thing or a new way or perspective of approaching a challenge. The main point here being the creation of something new, searching, provision, solving or application of a new solution.

There is Basic and Applied Research. When one is carrying out a primary inquiry, trying to find out something new, One can regard it as basic research,(Box, Rollers) on the other hand, when one is seeking to apply an innovative or (new) solution to solving a problem, one can be said to be engaged in applied research.

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WHAT IS COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE?

WIKIPEDIA refers to “computational science as scientific computing, technical computing or scientific computation and regards it as the science that uses advanced computing capabilities to understand and solve complex physical problems”. Some scholars have also defined Computational Science as the use of advanced mathematical models to solve problems.

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RESEARCH AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE

Looking at the two terms Research and Computational science as I have already defined, Computational Science can therefore be regarded as a tool in Research. The tool is the advance model or application found in computers, which have been reduced to simple understandable computer language such that even those who do not like mathematics can understand and apply it in their quest to solve problems. The use of computers to solve complex science or societal problems is in a very simplistic way what is referred to as Computational science as distinct from computer science which is also simply put, the science of computers.
In any meaningful research today, one must use computational science to achieve ones goals or objectives.

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THE ROLE OF COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE IN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

In Social Science Research, Computational Science comes in very handy; in data collection, collation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of results. Experimental designs, complex calculations, correlations and comparisms are achieved using computational science.
Depending on the type or nature of research, the number of variables, the mode of measurement and evaluation, whether qualitative or quantitative, computational science would be required in social science research.
In a very simplistic way Research and Computational Science go hand in hand in social science research.
Generally speaking, gone are the days when research was envisaged only in the sciences. Today, Research is the order of the day in the Social Sciences and the Arts. The growth and development of Man and Society are also dependent on the results or products of Social science and the Arts researches. Some scholars refer to social science, political science and the arts as Humanities.
Research is relevant and important in all fields of human endeavour.

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WHAT IS RESEARCH MENTORSHIP?

Research mentorship simply means the training/helping of early career researchers by senior or more experienced researchers.
Any researcher who does not mentor early career colleagues would be doing the research world a disservice.
Yes there are some misguided persons that feel that the Sun should rise and set with them and as such they refuse to train or mentor anyone. Please for the avoidance of doubt it is very wrong. No one is indispensable and no one will live for ever. So one should try to mentor others and by so doing leave a positive legacy behind when one’s time is done.
If you are the only cock or voice crowing, your voice will certainly crack. No matter how big a tree is, It can not make a forest. As a researcher there should be early career researchers to carry on your work or build and improve on what you may have done or begun.

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WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF MENTORING?

As aforesaid, mentoring involves
i. Teaching,
ii. Practical training and,
iii. Correction of early career researchers in all aspects of research.
Early career researchers must first and foremost be taught research Ethics. They must abide by the “Dos and Don’ts” of research.
Early career researchers must be mentored in being ‘open minded’ and develop the ability to listen, consult and be objective in approaching issues.
No early career researcher will make any meaningful progress without the ability for Time Management, and the capacity for thinking out of the box.
An inquisitive disposition is a necessary ingredient to being a successful researcher.(ability to work with little or no supervision, proficiency in the language of communication).
Any student willing to learn must take the initiative of identifying those teachers that the student can benefit from. Most often mentors may not necessarily be in ones area of competence.
Just be on the look out for mentors.

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GRANT APPLICATIONS

What are Grants?
As a technical term, the definition will vary.
Essentially in this context of Research, Research Grants can be regarded as money given out freely by an Individual or an organization for research in a particular field of endeavour or for a specific purpose or objective to those who have met clearly spelt out criteria.
Therefore to apply and get research grants, one must meet the requirements or criteria spelt out by the donors.

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HOW TO APPLY FOR GRANTS

This is the most frequently asked question. Recognizing the importance of Research in Nation building, most Nations, Organizations, Individuals have created a Research and Development Department(R&D).
In our Public and Private Tertiary Educational Institutions, research is encouraged and the number of researches carried out, the number of grants won or applied for are used as criteria for promotions.
To apply for a grant, first one has to be aware of the call for applications.
Then one must comply with the criteria spelt out by the funding body
Next one needs to develop an idea for your proposal (The idea must be innovative)

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HOW TO APPLY FOR GRANTS

Then, Plan your Proposal
Your Model must be Logical
Define your research question( research problem statement)
Know how to write your research question
Know how to craft your concept note.
Articulate your research objectives and goals.
Articulate your methodology
Articulate your milestones

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HOW TO APPLY FOR GRANTS CONTINUES

Articulate the resources needed and budget
Plan the collection, collation, analysis and interpretation of data.
Articulate the publication of your results/findings.
Finally, what I have presented on Grant writing is by no means comprehensive. It is just a bird’s eye view.
There will be a more comprehensive workshop on Grant writing that will be organized by the Directorate of Research & Development in collaboration with the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence both of the University of Calabar and all those interested are invited to attend either physically or virtually.
Note that in Nigeria, the major funder of research is the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (tetfund)

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CONCLUSION

Today, meaningful research can not be done without computational science.

One is encouraged no matter one’s area of specialization to acquire some working knowledge of computational science and data analysis.
The advent of Artificial Intelligence(A.I.) makes it even more imperative for anyone interested in research to have a working knowledge of computational science.
So make good use of this opportunity and put into practice the knowledge and skills you learn here.
Practice we are told makes one perfect.
The organizers of this Summer Institute may wish to organize a specific training workshop on Grant writing for early career researchers.
I sincerely thank the organizers of this workshop for inviting me. I apologize if I have bored you.

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THANK

YOU

AND PLEASE REMEMBER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GROUP PRACTICALS.