education Category

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WITH WUNMI: P-L-A-N-N-I-N-G!!!

Posted on July 22, 2015 2 Comments

Hello Fam! Yay! It’s mid-year and this is my first post for the half year. So much to be thankful for, amongst which are: the Editor (TOSIN) and the phenomenon audience of Africanism Cosmopolitan. You guys are simply A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Started this in January, and look where we are now. Initially, the idea seemed senseless, thought […]

ACADEMICS WITH WUNMI: ASSESSMENT: KEY AREAS OF FOCUS

Posted on June 16, 2015 2 Comments

Hello there! Hope you all are doing fine and winning in all life’s pursuit? Let me start by expressing my immense gratitude to God and the ardent readers of this blog. I acknowledge your comments and contributions so far, they have been helpful. However, I would like to know areas you would like me to […]

AFRO-TECH GIRLS ESSAY COMPETITON!

Posted on June 2, 2015 Leave a Comment

Afro-Tech Girls is a Non-Governmental Organisation, founded in June 2014, that is focused on encouraging, educating and empowering young African girls that are interested in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) industry. In conjunction with the Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB), Afro-Tech Girls is bringing 20 girls the opportunity to attend a Renewables Bootcamp […]

WORDY MONDAYS

Posted on May 11, 2015 2 Comments

1. FASCISM: A way of organizing a society in which a government ruled by a dictator controls the lives of the people and in which people are not allowed to disagree with the government: very harsh control or authority. 2. DESULTORY: Lacking in consistency, in plan, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation. 3. […]

ACADEMICS WITH WUNMI: RESEARCH MYTHS

Posted on May 5, 2015 3 Comments

IMG_8941 copy Hello Fam!

A word of encouragement before I get to discuss today’s post. A unit is made of several small components that’s put together to achieve one goal. This is the illustration of all believers in the body of Christ. We are part of God’s unit with different functional areas. Let’s play out our functions as divinely given by God. More often we channel our energy towards envying (comparison) other people’s functions. Let’s stay content with our portion and run with it.

While we considered the common mistakes made in research in the last post, it is expedient we also consider those things are not mistakes but believed to be true which in the long run impair the quality and excellence of our work.

Different people have different meaning to ‘myth’ but for the purpose of this post, we hold that a myth is ‘ a widely held but false belief or idea’.

I have heard and believed some myths in the past but over time I have seen the light (truth). These truths are what I aim to share with you today. However, Research myths are not limited to these myths shared below.

MYTH 1: It’s easier to use questionnaire rather than secondary data, vice-versa.

TRUTH: the truth is, the easiest method of data gathering (analysis) is the most appropriate method that soothes your topic. ‘The grass is only green where you water it’. When you use a method because you think it’s easier, you get easily frustrated when it doesn’t go as easy as envisaged. On the other hand, using the appropriate method keeps you going when it seems rough because you’re convinced you’re doing it right.

MYTH 2: Nothing new can be done, thus one has to ‘stylishly’ repeat past research works.

TRUTH: Problems evolve on a daily basis thus makes room for new research ideas to be developed to provide solutions. This could further contradict findings of past researchers which in the long run opens path for new findings thus doing something NEW. All you need to be is be critically and analytically alert in your mind.

MYTH 3: Research is only for those who want to be lecturers

TRUTH: This is quite common but the truth is, research is a platform used to solve problems, answer questions, and identify unknown causative agents amongst others. You would agree with me that not only lecturers (academicians) need solutions. Quick illustration, a friend of mine is considering starting up a business but first wants to carry out a research on the finance avenues available to such business as well as the sustainability. A Successful entrepreneur must engage in research to develop a business proposal that’s irresistible and sustainable. Therefore, research isn’t limited to Academicians only.

MYTH 4: Research is difficult, hence you can’t write an excellent research work

TRUTH: Great writers can be born but great writing skills can also be developed. Anyone born with a talent without development loses the talent without knowing. In the same vein, anyone who consciously develops a skill becomes better over time. Development is what makes the difference. A major way for continuous development is continuous learning.

MYTH 5: It takes forever to complete a good research

TRUTH: This is not totally true. Sometimes ample time is required to complete a research work but that doesn’t imply the work would be excellent. A lot of articles contend to be published in a good journal however not all gets published, the best of the bests are selected, and this is to mean there’s more that makes an excellent research than just length of time. For instance, knowing the appropriate variables and data to use, save times and this directly enhance the quality of work.

MYTH 6: Result must favour your topic

TRUTH: This is one myth that misleads a lot of students today (been a victim before). The plain truth is, research is not research when your answer is predetermined. You research because you don’t know. Let your data be fairly represented without bias. It’s not out of place to have expectation on what the result could possibly be, however, where actual result differs from expectation does not imply poor work done. Though it could imply poor work done where data used is inappropriate but where data used is appropriate, then it is what it is! Having actual result differ from expectations could open avenue for further study using different set of variables- which is doing something ‘new’.

“then you shall know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH will set you free” John 8:32

Please share your myths about research with me in the comment box below.

Till I come your way again,

Stay Wining,

Wunmi

The Education segment of the blog is one where you can find resources as a student/prospective one to help you succeed academically. Periodic posts would be published ranging from advice to questions and resources, all of which readily available to help you. I wish you all the best in your academic endeavours- Tosin Alabi( editor)

WORDY MONDAYS

Posted on April 27, 2015 Leave a Comment

Hello! hope your day went well, it’s another monday and its time to learn new words. you all are smarty pants as I can see from the last word post on Instagram. Most commenters claim they use/have heard of the words ^.^ good to know! unto today’s words….. 1. Shamus: A private detective 2. Grotesque: […]

WORDY MONDAYS!

Posted on April 13, 2015 1 Comment

Hello! How did your day go, hope it went well………. So if you know me personally, you’d know I love words and being verbally articulate is a strength of mine. Hence, I thought why not share with my lovely readers. Every monday I’d be sharing 5 new words that you could add to your vocabulary. […]

ACADEMICS WITH WUNMI: 5 COMMON RESEARCH MISTAKES

Posted on March 18, 2015 Leave a Comment

Hello Good People!

Let me start by appreciating you for being a committed audience to this blog also embracing the growth that comes with it, one of which is this platform of ‘Helping Others To Excel in Academics’. I appreciate all your constructive comments towards the “academics with wunmi segment” and all suggestions so far, however it would be more awesome if you also dropped a comment in the box below. Like Sisi Yemmie says ‘your comments are like delicious grains of Jollof rice to me’ LOL. You can also suggest areas you would further like me to discuss.

To the ‘topic’ of the day, in this post I will be considering the common research mistakes we make as researchers.

‘Sometimes by losing a battle you find a new way to win the war’- Donald Trump.

So stop hating on yourself for not getting it right in the past!

DATA MANIPULATION: I was once a victim here, ‘adjusting’ your data and result to make it look like what you want or think it should be. It’s data remember not information, it’s still in its raw form, it’s to be used just the way it is and whatever result gotten after processing is the true representation of data. In research, there’s no right or wrong answer, the answer is not to be predetermined. The reason you’re ‘researching’ is because you don’t know the answer, if the answer is known beforehand then it’s not research. Don’t be ‘afraid’ to present your true result, just explain whatever result you’ve got critically and advisably support with existing literature.
HIRING SOMEONE TO DO IT FOR YOU INSTEAD OF DIY: A lot of students are quite familiar with this. One of the major things you need to excel in research is to engage ‘smart-work’. ‘Smart work’ not only applies to research but all academic endeavours. This is what these ‘research helpers’ know. It’s not their field but yet they present you with a ‘good’ project at the end of the day. Note that not doing your academic research work yourself makes you incapable of defending the result thus not suitable for maximizing the benefits that is embedded in research.
PLAGIARISM (PUBLISHED OR CO-STUDENTS WORKS): Plagiarism is copying someone’s work or idea without acknowledgement and presenting it as your work/idea. Plagiarism comes with negative consequences more often than not. The thought that some past researchers are better than us is not totally true. These past researchers have documented their ideas and opinions, dare to document your own ideas too. Until you make those ideas plain in writing, they may seem ‘lame’ in the head. To be honest we all have excellence in us, all we need do is to release it. Someone once said how to overcome fear is to do that thing you fear.
LACK OF ORIGINALITY: It’s not that students don’t actually have the ideas, but quite a lot are not optimistic with their ideas nor are they willing to dare to be different. More often, in the process of trying to refine original ideas to soothe the trend or your supervisor, you lose the originality of the work as a whole. What most students don’t know is, supervisors actually want you to you sell your ideas to them, that is, make them see through your ‘lenses’. It’s no crime for your work to have its limitations, it’s part of the originality.
POOR EXPRESSION: Grammatical blunders, inability to express oneself without ambiguity or bias to existing literature. Poor expression could also imply ‘moving in circles about your opinion’ rather than ‘hitting the nail on the head’. What this does is to erode the originality of your idea and aim of study. Don’t be apologetic about your opinion. I remember this was an area I had to consciously work on while writing my masters’ thesis. I was trying to hide ‘behind a finger’ in expressing my opinion. A colleague of mine went through my work and observed this, the review was indeed helpful.

SO HOW CAN THESE BE MINIMIZED?

Engage research (academic endeavour) with the right mind-set, this eases out a lot of mental stress. Check the post for mind-set HERE.
Learn to express yourself and opinion in your own words without ambiguity.
Write down your ideas, writing makes things plain and easy to relate with. Thinking is good, writing your thoughts is better!
Develop your own idea. Be Original with your thoughts.
Acknowledge any other person’s idea used in your work.
Give trusted and intelligent individuals your work to review.
Be honest with your data results and presentation.
Get more familiar with academic literatures, this helps in critical reasoning and gets you more acquainted with the style of academic writing.
Check out references acknowledged in selected materials you’ve chosen to read, this gives better understanding of the subject matter.
Be sure about the data you require for your study, getting your data right gives you confidence in your result.

Till I Come your way again,

Let’s stay Winning,
Wunmi Kayode

Please leave your comments, suggestions, or questions in the comment box below or mail me at wunmi.kayode@gmail.com

ACADEMICS WITH WUNMI : MINDSET

Posted on February 20, 2015 Leave a Comment

IMG_8941 copy Hello there!
Trust you all are doing just fine! Well I thought by the time this post is published the Nigerian election would be have been conducted. Unfortunately, its been postponed. Quite frankly, I thought the postponement wasn’t called for, reason been that; the election date has been predetermined for over a year now, more so, this insecurity issue has been there for a while now (need for more pro-activeness in Nigeria), I don’t think the six weeks would make any major difference (hopeful though). Also, I believe so many economic and managerial decisions are on hold till the election is done, outsiders/investors will perceive Nigerians as politically unstable (My Opinion). Nigerian stocks for instance is experiencing one of its greatest falls since the postponement announcement (the market reacts to such news negatively). Nigeria shall get to the promise land by the grace of God. I salute all our non-Nigerian readers.

In today’s post, the emphasis is on ‘mind-set’ expedient to possess to excel in research as a student.
I describe ‘mind-set’ simply as the way an individual programs his/her reasoning (mental) abilities which is capable of influencing his attitude or behaviour towards something or someone.
Before I continue on the mind-set subject, I would like to give an example of my past research projects as well as the mind-set I had alongside. Here are the research works I have carried out till date;
• Adoption Of IFRS in Nigeria: the Idiosyncrasies (2010)
• Opportunities and Challenges Of IFRS Adoption In Nigeria: Nigerian Banking Sector (2011)
• Challenges SMEs face in Nigeria (2012/2013)
• Why Firms Mimic Each Other’s Capital Structure: Explanations from Product Market Competition (2014)

The first three projects basically express the problems perceived in my environment per time thus using my findings to make constructive recommendations. While working on the last project, the aim was to identify practical underlying principle in firm’s financial policies, critically examine and analyse the results of past literatures as well as provide explanations for conclusions reached by recent researchers on the subject matter.
From the example above