Historically the task of documentation of research interests has received a differential response from varying disciplines. Academic research is influenced by a number of factors, inter alia, personal interest of researcher or financial obligation. As a result, the dynamics that affect the nature of research vary according to the form and aim of the research study. Equally true is how while one’s research interest are apt and in well need for exploration, they may conflict with those of many other interested parties. Utilizing as case study, some of my research experiences[1], this paper explores the challenges faced by budding scholars in Zimbabwe during their academic research projects. Through a life histories approach, the study explores how culture, finance and past legacies have greatly shaped the historic narrative. Zimbabwe is a predominately traditional nation, with an academic policy that arguably encourages innovative and collaborative research, and yet maintains repressive tools that continually leave the academic task daunting for objective research to be carried out. A recurring motif in academia in Zimbabwe is how, while several academic institutions encourage students to reconnoitre virgin themes in academia, national state policy has a lid on the scope of information open for public consumption. As a result, efforts to gain access into these study areas are protracted and prolonged often beyond the time for the allocated study. To overcome this drawback, researchers have been known to compromise ethic boundaries and adopt crafty methods to gain access to information. It is not uncommon that in many instances, researchers forgo consultation of essential data, a casualty that greatly compromises the critical depth of the research assignment. Studies where data collection involves sensitive content from local communities, researchers circumvent bureaucratic and societal obstructions through adopting strategic anthropological technics, whereby they become a part and parcel of the community, familiarizing themselves with local custom and practice. Researchers adopt a new persona that reflects and attracts a convivial outlook from the community. However, in some cases, despite the suave efforts of researchers, locals harbour deep rooted opinions towards foreigners and are not responsive. There are several valid historical justifications for such attitude, and this study will chronicle some the challenges of researching within an area where social, economic and political resentment is rife.
[1] This research was conducted for my Master of Arts Degree in African Economic History at the University of Zimbabwe from February 2015-June 2016.