How to avoid litigation while conducting research by AFUED VC
The Vice-Chancellor of the Adeyemi Federal University of Education (AFUED) Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria, Prof. Bayode Isaiah Popoola, has advised researchers to always be conscious of the need to abide with the ethical principles guiding the exercise, in order not to run foul of the law.
Prof. Popoola made the statement while speaking at the Strategic Capacity Building Workshop, organised by the institution's Directorate of Academic Planning for some selected academic members of the institution, which held on Monday March 9,2026 in the University.
Stressing importance of research in society, the University Administrator stated that research helps in enhancing knowledge and adding values to societal growth and development.
Delivering a paper on: "New Approach to Quantitative Data Collection in Field Research", Prof. Popoola listed three approaches that could be used in collecting data for research activities to include Quantitative, Qualitative and Mixed methods.
In addition, the University Administrator, also mentioned eight factors that determine the type of approach that could be chosen before a researcher embarks on research to include the determination of the nature of the research, the type of research design that would be appropriate, population and sample characteristics, research objectives as well as research instrument, financial considerations, time frame and data management.
Prof. Popoola spoke extensively on quantitative data collection method in research, types of measurement scales that could be used by researchers, data analysis and the advantages that researchers could derived from the use of the Open Data Kit (ODK) mobile data collection, which he said could be used for collection of wide range of data.
He reminded researchers of the need to be mindful of issues involved in data collections which include the need for researchers to always state the purpose for which the data is needed, refrain from collection of information without the knowledge of participants, avoid provision of incentives to respondents before collection of data, refrain from asking information which may upset or embarrass a respondent, ensuring that participants are not involved in research that can harm them as well as refraining from sharing information collected from respondents without their knowledge.
Also in another paper presentation, a lecturer from the Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Sociology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, Prof. Joshua Oyeniyi Aransiola, stressed the need for scholars to seek constantly for more knowledge through research, stating that the move would make them relevant and globally competitive.
Speaking on : "The Art of Qualitative Data Collection", the renowned scholar, stated that even though qualitative and quantitative research are inseparable, the former could be distinguished from the latter because it is more interested in probing deeper into a problem rather than relying on the use of numbers and statistics.
Prof. Aransiola also spoke extensively on numerous techniques through which data could be obtained when using qualitative method in research activities to include observation, in-depth interview, focus group approach, document analysis and stated that qualitative method is very dynamic "when you are looking for data that is needed for documentation".
In addition, the Sociology Professor also mentioned two types of data collection methods that could be used for research and also highlighted rules needed for developing research questions stating that in qualitative research exercise, " we believe that the participants are the expert, while the researcher is the novice", he remarked.
Earlier in his address of welcome on the occasion, the Director, Directorate of Academic Planning AFUED, Prof. Tope Rufus Oziegbe, explained that the workshop was organised "to equip participants with the skills, knowledge and strategies needed to navigate the rapidly changing academic research landscape ".
He expressed appreciation to Management of the University under the leadership of Prof. Bayode Isaiah Popoola for creating conducive environment in the University stating that the development has brought peace and enhance positive academic engagements in the institution.
The event which held at the New Centre for Educational Technology building in the University, was attended by the Vice-Chancellor AFUED, Prof. Bayode Isaiah Popoola; Chairman, Committee of Deans AFUED, Prof. Oyenike Oyinloye; second Paper presenter, Prof. Joshua Oyeniyi Aransiola from the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile- Ife as well as Deans, Directors, Heads of Directorates, Departments and Units, staff and students from the institution among others.
