Research in social sciences must be goal-oriented: Askari

The research in social sciences must be goal oriented and aimed to serve humanity by suggesting ways and means to address human's social problems, Hasan Askari Rizvi, the former interim Chief Minister, Punjab, said while delivering a keynote address at the University of Karachi on Wednesday.
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, KU, organized two-day international conference on "New trends in social sciences and humanities in the contemporary world: with reference to world peace order", at Arts Auditorium, KU.
Hasan Askari, Professor Emeritus, Political Science, Punjab University, Lahore, and an Independent Political Consultant, informed the audience that social sciences could evolve mechanisms which would be helpful in coping the intolerance from the society which is one of the major reasons of extremism and terrorism.
He said that social sciences represent human's efforts of studying and examine each others and mentioned that modern world technology have penetrated into our system and also being used by developed countries to preach whatever they like to do.
"The social sciences provide diversity of opinion while accessing education as uttermost priority can help in society's development. Europe is the best example in this regard. The continent was once living in a dark age but with advancement of knowledge and industrial and other revolutions, they are now dominating the world."
He informed the audience that research on human issues requires hard-work and adoption of scientific methodology.
"The universities are engine of change and societies can be transformed if varsities played their due role. If governments spend on betterment of the education system, it is investment of a nation in future."
Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor, KU, Professor Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan, informed the audience that knowledge is power and if one wants to be more powerful, he/she should get more education. "A person must have ability to think out of box. Analytic approach while doing a task will excel your performances."
He observed that if a person cannot relate the research to the society then it is useless as it would not help the humans. The KU VC told the students that methodology and impact factors are essential for good research and stated that taking a side and position are two different things and being a researcher a person must know the difference between them.