Public lecture on trends and crises in social science research

The Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) at UTAR Kampar Campus hosted a public lecture by Adjunct Professor N. Prabha Unnithan, an Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Colorado State University (CSU), United States, on 4 December 2024.

Held in a hybrid mode, his lecture, titled Trends and Crises in Social Science Research, was moderated by FAS lecturer Ms Teoh Xi Yao. Participants had the option to attend the lecture in person at the campus or virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Among those present were FAS Dean Dr Lee Lai Meng, Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Ts Dr Khor Kheng Kia and Head of the Department of Public Relations Cik Bazlin Darina binti Ahmad Tajudin, alongside faculty members, students, researchers and members of the public.

Prof Prabha began by introducing prominent journals in the social sciences which he has edited such as the Journal of Criminal Justice Education, The Social Science Journal, The Sociological Quarterly, and Justice Evaluation Journal. These journals, he explained, set benchmarks for academic excellence in the field.

The talk transitioned into an engaging overview of the research and publishing process in social sciences. Prof Prabha shared an edited YouTube video that humorously depicted the challenges researchers encounter while navigating the peer-review process. Both in-person and virtual participants found the video relatable, with laughter and nods of agreement indicating its resonance.

His lecture focused on six key crises faced by researchers. He identified the Authorship Crisis, highlighting disputes over fair recognition among contributors, and the Reviewing Crisis, which involves biases and inconsistencies in the peer-review process. He also addressed the Reproducibility Crisis, emphasising the challenge of replicating findings, which undermines the credibility of research, and the Journal Explosion Crisis, referring to the overwhelming proliferation of journals that often prioritise quantity over quality. The Predatory Publishing Crisis exposed unethical practices by exploitative journals profiting from researchers without upholding academic integrity. Lastly, he discussed the Plagiarism Crisis, highlighting intellectual dishonesty and the misuse of others’ work, which further erodes trust within the academic community.

Prof Prabha provided an in-depth analysis of these crises and their impact on the integrity and future of social science research. He called for systemic reforms and heightened accountability from researchers, institutions and publishers.

In his closing remarks, Prof Prabha expressed heartfelt gratitude to the event organisers, including the dean and FAS members for their efforts in facilitating the lecture. Prof Prabha paid special tribute to the late Professor Emeritus Hugh P. Whitt, his former supervisor, whose mentorship had a profound influence on his academic journey.

The lecture concluded with a lively Q&A session, engaging both physical and virtual participants. It left the audience inspired to critically address the challenges in social science research. The university and faculty extend their sincere appreciation to Prof Prabha for delivering such an insightful and thought-provoking lecture.