English abstract
The study aims at identifying the obstacles to social science research at the University of
Sultan Qaboos; this is to say, the epistemological, administrative, academic, and personal
obstacles. The study also suggests concrete measures that may contribute to the removal
of those obstacles. It makes use of the descriptive analytical method via polling members
of the academic staff in the colleges of education, arts and social sciences, and economics
and political sciences. The sample involved 121 members; that is 72.2 % of the academic
staff. The study ascertained the following findings:
- The staff members held that the administrative obstacles had a major impact on the
social science research at Sultan Qaboos University, followed by academic, then,
epistemological, and finally personal obstacles.
- Among the personal obstacles, psychological pressures constitute a major hindrance
to a staff member due to his/her numerous duties, which prevent him/her from doing
research. Concerning the administrative obstacles, the staff members have so many
administrative duties to fulfil at university. As for the academic obstacles, the problem
lies in the extensiveness of the teaching load. As to cognitive obstacles, the field of
social sciences is plagued with the domination of quantitative research and the scarcity
of qualitative one.
- Absence of statistical differences in the staff members' responses about personal,
administrative, academic, and epistemological obstacles to social science research the
University of Sultan Qaboos, which could be attributed to gender or speciality
variables.
- Presence of statistical differences in the staff members' responses about the
administrative and epistemological obstacles that may be linked to the college variable.
These differences were to the favour of the College of Arts and Social Sciences and
the College of Education. There were no significant statistical differences regarding
the other obstacles.
- Presence of statistical differences in staff members' responses about the academic and
epistemological obstacles that could be attributed to the scientific degree variable.
These differences were to the favour of the assistant and associate professors. There
were no significant statistical differences regarding the other obstacles.
- Presence of statistical differences in staff members' responses about the personal and
epistemological obstacles, which could be attributed to the work experience variable.
These differences were to the favour of those who had (1-9) and (10- 19) years of work
experience. There were no significant statistical differences concerning the
administrative and academic obstacles.
In the light of the findings of this study, the researcher presented several suggestions that
may contribute to the removal of obstacles to social science research, the obstacle that
prevented the social science faculty from achieving their research goals and taking
advantage of the outcomes.
