Research can be considered as a systematic activity carried out using well defined methodologies for the purpose of creating new knowledge. Any activity which qualifies as research should have these attributes: it should be systematic, it should contribute to new knowledge, and its outcomes should be verifiable. Research is classically categorised as basic research and applied research. Basic research is a systematic investigation of a theoretical of experimental nature, undertaken principally to acquire new knowledge about phenomenon, process or matter without an imminent application in view. Generally, the outcomes of basic research are published or disseminated in scholarly outlets with minimal commercial interests at heart. On the other hand, applied research is the type of research undertaken to discover, interpret, and develop methods and systems which have potential for practical utilization for the advancement of society. Both forms of research are essentially built on enquiry propelled by hypotheses or intellectual positions, which can be verified following rigorous procedures set by experts in the given discipline. A researcher then is someone who creates knowledge following the aforementioned procedures and also disseminates such generated knowledge for the advancement of humanity and society.
The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) acknowledges that research and teaching inspired by state-of-the-art research breakthroughs, and community development, form the fulcrum of the activities of its academic staff. It gives pre-eminence to activities geared towards communicating the outcomes of research of the highest standard. It also recognises that research should serve to develop intellectualism and scholarship, innovation and service, create entrepreneurial opportunities and promote community and national development.
The guidelines outlined in this research policy are meant to assist the university research community in the conception, development and execution of research in their respective fields.