GCTU hosts Research Presentation themed “Philosophies Underlying Social Science Research Methods”
The Ghana Technology University College (GTUC) held a one-day research presentation under the auspices of the Office of Research Services and Innovation (ORSI), on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at the Florence Onny Auditorium.
The theme of the presentation was Philosophies Underlying Social Science Research Methods, based on which, Professor Joseph Mensah, the presenter, highlighted the extent to which contemporary qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies derive their impetus and inspiration from different philosophical positions.
The presentation profiled the main epistemologies behind social science research—from positivism, through phenomenology and structuralism to postmodernism.
Professor Mensah drew on the works of leading postmodern thinkers such as Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault, and Jean Baudrillard to evince the growing influence of postmodernism on contemporary social science methodologies and research.
The event was well-attended, with about 140 people drawn from both academia and industry.
Among the audience were participants from Ghana Technology University College, University of Ghana, Wisconsin University, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), University of Professional Studies (UPSA), Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC). Other attendees came from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the general public.
The presentation was chaired by GTUC’s Vice Presisent, Prof. Isaac Abeku Blankson, with Prof. Joseph Mensah, Director of ORSI (Visiting professor from York University Canada) acting as the keynote speaker; the event started with an opening prayer by Mrs. Agnes Quarshie (Head, GTUC Language Centre). Before giving his opening remarks, Professor Abeku Blankson took the time to welcome all the participants to GTUC and thanked them for their involvement in this timely celebration of knowledge.
The main presentation by Professor Mensah was followed by an interesting and thought-provoking Q and A session, after which the Chair gave his closing remarks which centered on the need for scientists to pay attention to matters of ethics and philosophy.
The vote of thanks was given by Mr. Mark Ofori Nketia (Assistant Registrar, ORSI), after which the event was brought to a close with a prayer by Mrs. Agnes Quarshie. The MC for the programme was our own Mr. Yaw Ofori Amanfo (Head, Centre for Technical Education Training).
We are delighted at the success of this seminar and look forward to more of the same in the future as the institution continues to find ways to contribute to the building of capacity in research as well as other relevant areas of academia.
