SECURITY CHALLENGES ON DATA COLLECTION AND GATHERING IN SOCIAL SCIENCES RESEARCH IN NIGERIA: MITIGATING ITS IMPACT

Abstract

Undoubtedly, Nigeria's security architecture has been marred by various challenges, particularly insecurity. These activities range from insurgency, kidnapping, armed robbery, and conflicts between herders and farmers. This paper examined how insecurity has adversely affected the processes of data collection and gathering in Nigeria, together with its overall negative implications for socioeconomic development. Through an in-depth examination of secondary sources of data, including books, journal articles, and online materials, the study sheds light on critical issues affecting data collection while adopting the Revisionist Theory of National Security as its theoretical framework. This framework was used to holistically and comprehensively analyse the prevailing security challenges and their far-reaching impact on data collection and gathering in social science research. Locally, socioeconomic interactions have remained under siege as direct consequences of insurgency, armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. Internationally, Nigeria's image has been negatively portrayed through various media reports on insecurity, thereby discouraging foreign investors and reducing foreign direct investment into the country. The findings established that the process and quality of data collection have been significantly affected by insecurity, making it difficult for committed researchers to access relevant research sites and physically reach locations where firsthand and reliable data can be obtained. Consequently, this situation undermines the credibility of research findings and weakens evidence-based conclusions in the social sciences. The study emphasizes the need for the Nigerian Government to adopt a non-politicized approach to addressing the country's persistent security challenges. It also recommends stronger collaboration among the various security agencies while demonstrating greater commitment to eliminating corruption in the fight against insecurity. Such measures will go a long way in creating a conducive research environment where valid and reliable data can be collected to support sound socioeconomic policies and national development.