| 1 |
Author(s):
Martina Alexander Pojwan.
Page No : 1-12
|
Challenges and Prospects of Quantitative Research in Social Science
Abstract
This paper discussed the relevance, challenges and prospects of quantitative research in Nigeria. Among other things, the strength of quantitative methods was discussed to include: objectivity, usage of larger sample, building protection against bias and not requiring relatively longer time for data collection. However, some limitations of quantitative research were equally highlighted, such as: lack of deeper meanings of phenomena, quantitative research not being in-depth, and also quantitative research overlooking test-takers and testers experiences. The paper concludes that the combination of both quantitative (positivism) and qualitative perspectives (constructivism) is paramount because both approaches represent different ends on a continuum and that such integrated approach leads to rich texture of interpretation of phenomena. It also recommended that scholars, particularly quantitative researchers should always expose themselves to diverse methodological training and examine the potential merits of integrating qualitative approach in their research to provide a comprehensive, complimentary, explanation of the phenomenon of interest.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Momoh M. Kabir.
Page No : 13-21
|
China’s Vision for a Partnership with Africa on Security and Human Development: An Appraisal
Abstract
The paper delves into China-Africa partnership in the area of security, fighting poverty and human development. It examines the ambiance of such socio-economic and political interplay, where China seeks to strengthen such partnership on win-win basis. The paper adopts a descriptive research using the library documentation as secondary methodology. Findings show that, there is strong commitment on the Chinese side to making sure that Africa becomes a better place to leave and devoid of conflicts. Secondly, it shows how China consolidates efforts training Africans in different areas of science and humanities for the betterment of the lives of the African people. The paper concludes that a shift in Chinese foreign policy of non-interference has already taken place using implicit strategy of creative involvement and constructive intervention, just as the shift in the policy of peace-keeping operation, where China rejected the use of force in the process. This was later changed to the use of limited force when the peace-keepers or civilians are threatened. Interference in a positive manner either in governance, security and poverty reduction if welcome by Africa is a good thing to embrace. Africa will never accept negative intervention at the detriment of its sovereignty and people. It should be noted that, history has shown that if states are in alliance, acceptable involvement and intervention only supports an ally in achieving significant goals. The paper recommends that, development projects as envisaged by China should be feasible and flexible to the consumption and sustenance of Africa.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Innocent Ejimofor Agu (Ph.D), Evangelista Chimebere Agu .
Page No : 22-29
|
A Stylistic Analysis of Hypotactic Syntactic Structures in Wole Soyinka’s The Interpreters
Abstract
This paper examines the use of hypotactic syntactic structure in Wole Soyinka’s The Interpreters. This novel has continued to receive critical attention over the years because of its dense linguistic structure. All literature exists in the form of language: either as spoken utterance or in writing. Language is, therefore, the most important element of fiction, since it gives existence to all the other fictional elements—theme, plot, setting and characterization. A study of language of a literary work is first of all a study of its style—an author’s way of writing. Such a study involves, among other things, an examination of the syntax, diction, idioms, and imagery. Syntax refers to the structure of sentences. At the simplest level, it means the order or arrangement of words within a sentence, or the grammatical arrangement of words, phrases and clauses to give a sentence its structure. Sentences are randomly selected from the novel for the purpose of analyses. They are examined and analysed to ascertain the hypotactic structures which formed the bedrock of this study. The Lexical-Functional Grammar Theory of Bresnan (1971) is adopted for the analysis. The study finds out that Soyinka’s syntactic structures in the novel are really complex. The study recommends that readers at all levels should arm themselves with good knowledge of linguistics to make meaning out of the novel.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Tarhemba Akaana Emmanuel (Ph.D), Osori Michael Otebo, Oneshi Jane Omadefu.
Page No : 30-38
|
Exploitation and Dehumanization in Post Colonial Nigeria: A Critique of Iyayi’s Violence
Abstract
This study is a critique of Iyayi’s Violence in its Marxist ideological posture. The study revealed that, in every social organization, conflict or class struggle is a function of mode of production and that economy is the ultimate determinant of all other aspects of life. The study concluded that, conflict of classes will continue to manifest in capitalist societies unless the masses organize and resist the exploitation through a radical revolution.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Ogunnoiki Adeleke Olumide.
Page No : 39-46
|
Nigeria’s Membership of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC): Weighing the Cost and Benefit
Abstract
Crude oil remains an essential commodity that fuels the economy of countries the world over. On a high demand from time-to-time in the international oil market, countries endowed with the ‘black gold’ produce and export barrels of oil daily at a given price determined by the market forces of demand and supply. Nigeria, the largest oil producing country in Africa, maximum production capacity is 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd). Heavily dependent on the proceeds from the sales of her Bonny Light crude oil, it is in the best interest of the Nigerian State for oil prices to be high in the volatile international oil market. Hence, it became a full Member State of the cartel – Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1971. Over four decades later, Nigeria’s membership of OPEC became a topic for debate among erudite scholars, astute analysts and professionals in Nigeria’s oil industry following the plummet in oil prices from 2014 which adversely affected the country’s undiversified petro-dollar economy. This research paper weighs the cost and benefit of Nigeria’s membership of the oil cartel in order to ascertain whether Nigeria should remain a member or use the exit door out of OPEC. Theoretically, Realism was adopted for the study. Also used were the historical and comparative approaches with the qualitative method of secondary data collection.
