SE: RESEARCH IN SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION

 RESEARCH IN SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION

Meaning and Definition

The word Research is made up of two syllables ‘RE’ and ‘search’. Literally, ‘RE’ means to repeat while ‘search’ mean s to look for something.

Various scholars may define research in various ways; for example, Aborisade (1997) defines research as a systematic thinking strategy which involves a planned and formalised collection, analysis and interpretation of data for problem solving.

Fawole, Egbokhare, Itiola, Odejide and Olayinka (2006) agree that there can be many definitions of research. Three definitions have been highlighted from their list of definitions.

1. Research is an endeavour to study or obtain knowledge through the use of systematic approach with the intent of clarification.

2. Research is a curiosity-driven activity that has the purpose of discovery and advancement of knowledge (Basic Research).

3. Research is a systematic investigation including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or to contribute to generalisable knowledge. From the above definitions one can deduce therefore, that research is systematic, it is designed to obtain knowledge and the results of a research are verifiable.

There are types and mode of research. The types of research are basic and applied. Basic, pure or academic research gives the people the opportunity of gaining new knowledge and developing new theories in a discipline while applied research is directed at an existing problem. It finds solution to practical problems in education. Research modes can be in form of collaboration, contract, sponsored and consultancy. Collaborative research studies are carried out by two or more individuals or organisations.

Contracted Research

An industry or organisation can request an individual to carry out research project for them. It is a joint effort.

Sponsored Research

Grants can be given to individuals or an individual can apply for grants to carry out a research study. Sponsored research studies are either basic or strategic but the outcomes are commercially – oriented.

Consultancy

Tapping the skills and expertise of a specialist on a particular project.

Special Education and Special Needs Education

Special education and special needs education are used interchangeably. There are some individuals who can learn very fast, there are those who are slow learners. There are others who have difficulties in learning. There are others who have special learning needs that occur as a result of sensory, intellectual, psychological or socio-cultural deficiency. There are others that are precocious and prodigious, all the aforementioned need special education in order to function maximally.

What is Special Education?

Special education means specially designed instruction that meets the unusual needs of exceptional students. Special materials, teaching or equipment and/or facilities may be required (Hallahan and Kauffman, 2003).

Obani (2004) sees special education as the education that is concerned with children who have been adversely affected to a greater extent, by one or more of these factors. Special education deals with children with special learning problems, difficulties and needs. It applies special methods and uses special equipment that takes the special problem of the children into consideration.

From the above, one can deduce that special education is designed to meet the needs of persons with special need. Special needs education merely entails simple modifications, adaptations, adjustments innovations and management of the curriculum, methods and materials in addition to the other resources and practices of regular schools to fit and meet the special learning needs of those who present different forms of disabilities and learning difficulties (Obani, 2006).

Relevance of Research in Special Needs Education

Research is meant to better and improve the learning and educational standard such as in teaching, classroom administration, psychological assessment, child growth and development.

Adebiyi (1998) identifies the relevance of research in special education in the following ways. These are to:

• assess the effectiveness of a programme in special education

• find possible effect of taking certain decision

• find solution to practical problems that have been discovered in special education

• evaluate the authenticity of certain concepts in special education.

Unarguably, research studies have contributed in no small measure to improvement and progress made in special needs education over the years. Over the years, in the education for the intellectually retarded for example, it was through research that it was realised that physiological method, play therapy etc. were adopted as effective methods of teaching the intellectually -retarded.

It was also through curiosity and passionate investigation that Valentine Hauy discovered in 1771 that the blind could read and write by making use of their fingers. In addition, it is through research efforts that dog was discovered useful in guiding the blind if well trained.

Through systematic investigations, it has been found out that the blind can study mathematics and sciences up to the university level, their disability notwithstanding. It is obvious that the blind can manipulate computer and access the internet conveniently.

In the same vein, research has revealed to us that there are classes and degree of giftedness and how they can be taught. Even in our days, through research, it has been found out that inclusive education is beneficial to children with special needs.

It is also through various research studies that nomenclature have been changed in special education. Also, through careful and extensive investigations novel facts are discovered about nature and manifestations in disability, leading to shift in the existing perspectives on issues in special education. This is exemplified in the changes made to the nomenclatures such as handicapped to disability, intellectually and not mentally ‘retarded’ etc.

Related to the above, Kolo (1997) believes that research improves performance and efficient practices. In special education, certain problems are solved in the education for the visually -handicapped persons through research. For example, technological innovations for meeting psychological, mobility, orientation and educational needs of the visually-handicapped person have been developed.

Barriers to Research Activities in Special Education

There are many challenges to research activities in special education as highlighted below:

Culture and Tradition

In Africa, there are a number of cultural taboos and traditions that are inimical to the success of research in special education. Traditions believe “as it was in the beginning, so it is and s o shall it be.” Culture and tradition make things to be static and stagnant. In some cases it does not give room for flexibility.

Attitudinal Issues

There is no doubt that one’s attitude determines one’s altitude. The lackadaisical or non-challant attitude towards research activities in special education is also a factor. Further, in their race to catch up with the developed countries quickly, many developing countries fail to understand the following about research:

• The nature of the research enterprise

• The long gestation periods of many research activities: the products we see on shelves in markets have taken years to get to the public

• The expensive nature of research

• The speculative nature of research

• The need for continual and uninterrupted research engagement as strategy for sustainable development

• The imperative of seeing research as a veritable strategy for sustainable development (Egbokhare, Olayinka, Taiwo, Alonge and Obono, 2006).

It is not a national interest. Many developing nations of the world have focus and give priorities to research and as a result; researchers are encouraged and motivated. But this is not so in some countries of Africa including Nigeria.

Personnel Constraints

Many young researchers do not show interest in research studies because of the cost implication of the research work and the exorbitant and unaffordable cost of publishing in some scholarly international journals.

Ethical Issues

There are ethics peculiar to various fields. Research is of no exception. Many people are in the field of research but never bother to obey the rules of the game. Data are manipulated and figures are falsified; results of researchers are not reproducible simply because, the rules of research studies have been violated.
Inadequate Funding

Researchers and research works are not well funded. Research studies in the field of special education are capital intensive. Equipment will be needed; tests will be adapted where necessary when it is not available. Some of the research studies in special education take years before they can be completed.

Inadequate Data

This is a challenge to research studies in special education. There is no particular place that we have as a databank. For instance, the statistical number of persons with disabilities is not available in the country. There should be the urgent need for census of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

Strengthening Research in Special Education

In order to put research in special education in the place of pride, it deserves that certain factors must be considered:

Research Factors

The researcher must have self conviction. He/she must know what, how and why he/she is doing what. He must have a focus. He must be skilful on how to carry out research projects.

Government Factor

There should be proper funding on the part of government, various foundations, philanthropists, organisations, individuals and non government organisations.

Societal Factors

There should be public enlightenment on research. Some of the parents of persons with disabilities in some cases hide their disabled child at home and will not tell the truth whenever they are to fill any questionnaire. Through seminars, workshops and conferences society can be delivered from the demon of culture and tradition in respect of barriers to research studies.

Documentation Factors

There should be proper and adequate documentation of research works. Workshops should be organised on how to keep documents and various records.

CONCLUSION

In this unit, various scholarly defocinitions of research, types and mode of research studies have been discussed. The relevance of research work to special needs education was also discussed. Further, various challenges and constraints to research activities in special education were itemised.