IGWEBUIKE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: A NEW TREND FOR SCIENTIFIC AND WHOLISTIC INVESTIGATION

Abstract  

The organic and departmental  nature of reality  calls  for  a method  of  research that both respects the organicness and departmentalness of realty. It is in this regard that this work introduces the Igwebuike research methodology, in an attempts at widening the scope of research methodologies. It is an indigenous, first because it has its origin in an African word- Igwebuike which literally means “there is strength in number” but speaks more of the philosophy of complementarity. Second, because it appeals to the African spirit while not limiting its use to the  African environment or problems. It is a universal principle from a unique world. It puts into consideration not just the universally accepted research conditions  but  also  the  local  categories  that  peculiarizes  a  people.  The  present  work  is, therefore, an attempt at developing an indigenous method of research that can help in the search for knowledge in a wholistic and exhaustive way with a view of developing valid knowledge which would be applied in addressing peculiar and universal problems. It has, therefore, discussed research as a basic feature of our humanness; meaning that ‘to be’ is to want to know and to find solutions to the problems of the human society. The major dimensions of Igwebuike research method is that it is wholistic, begins from the known to the  unknown,  it  is  interdisciplinary,  complementary  and  non-dominant.  This  research 

method  does  not  in  any  way  see  itself  as  the  most  important  research  method,  but emphasizes  the  necessity  of  a  synthesis  of  methodologies  if wholistic  solutions to fundamental problems  wrecking society  are  to be found.  The complementary  method of investigation was adopted for the purpose of this research. 

Keywords:  Igwebuike,  Research  Method,  New  Trend,  Wholistic, Complementary, Interdisciplinary