Research and Research-Related Activities in the COVID-19 Era: Implication for Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore different perspectives of how to go about conducting academic research in COVID-19 era and to trigger greater debate in Ethiopian context. A May 27, 2020 Science Magazine article outlines that Universities are expected first and foremost to come up with safe protocols/guideline for safe practices in order to move forward. Schiffer and Walsh (May 20, 2020) hinted that America’s top research institutions identify and explore the challenges that research operations are facing. They are related with social distancing requirements, university finances are stretched, the expectations of pre-pandemic research grants and contracts, and international activity, and recruitment. As cited in Clay (March 19, 2020) members of APA’s Board of Scientific Affairs, offer advice among other thing to: work remotely, modify the research and analysis, protect the human participants and animal subjects, cross-train staff, do the things that researchers never have time for, support junior colleagues, and keep things in perspective. The Leaders of Africa (July 6, 2020) suggested that the COVID-19 era presents us with a learning process in which survey organizations and partners must adapt and be flexible. The Canterbury Christ Church University (April 17, 2020) advises students that there is a need for guide to decide whether their research can continue at the start, followed by some generic resources and suggestions. These are followed by some more subject specific suggestions, and finally by suggestions for Desk Based Research and Action Research. The University suggested that there are a number of alternative research strategies that students could consider. For example, analysis of existing media content, analysis of archival data and texts acknowledging shortcomings in the thesis, meta-analysis of published studies, and systematic literature review. Finally, regarding COVID-19 and private higher education, Wondwosen Tamrat assessed the Ethiopian context. In his newsletter article in the University World News (May7, 2020), he stressed the immediate mounting difficulties on private higher education vis-a-vis public higher education institutions. Accordingly, the private sector was not and still is not able to move smoothly toward online provision to ensure continuity of teaching and learning. He emphasized that while the obstacles are substantial and still growing in many cases, now is the time to scrutinize the major issues explicitly and prepare for the decisions needed in the months ahead. In this regard, recommendations include: revisiting the national directives, bailing out the private sector and, planning and preparing to enter the post-pandemic era by making hard decisions.