The book covers research approaches used in major disciplines such as natural sciences, humanities, education and economics.

A new book on research methods and scientific communication will soon roll of the ACTS Press. The book, Research Methods and Scientific Communication: A Problem-Based Learner-Centred Approach, takes a practical, learner-centred and problem-based approach to impart in students key learning skills.

This approach is consistent with the paradigm shift in education that advocates for competency-based approach and knowledge discovery by the student, hence the learner-centred approach to learning.

More important, it draws its content entirely from the author’s practical experience in teaching research methods to a new generation of undergraduates.

The author, Prof. Romulus Abila, a Professor of environmental biology at Maasai Mara University, explains that the book is more of a “doing book” that primes learners to search for and analyse, evaluate and synthesise information.

“It is an interactive tool in knowledge acquisition and is consistent with the new paradigm shift in education globally that makes the learner central in knowledge acquisition, he said.

Through case studies, student activities, scenarios and end of chapter questions and assignments, this book is an interactive tool and a primer in learning how to conceive a research idea, formulate research questions, develop a viable research proposal, collect and analyse data and present research findings through various dissemination outlets.

In addition, the book covers research approaches used in major disciplines such as natural sciences, humanities, education and economics. It is therefore appropriate to students across all research disciplines.

Prof. Abila has several years of experience in teaching ecology and conservation biology. He has taught at Maseno University, Kenya, University of Bolton, UK and South Eastern Kenya University, Kenya.