Understanding The ‘two-pronged approach’ to Philippine development

The key word in this discussion is “approach,” or a way of acting on something in a certain way. Experience gained through working, studying, reading, observing, and other forms of learning provides us with multiple approaches to solving problems.

In development, the “two-pronged approach”: the economic or the “money side,” and social or “human” approaches contribute to Philippine development. For a layman, the economic approach, which relates to generating national income, is readily understood as essential for development. However, what remains unclear is 1) how the social approach can contribute to development, and 2) how we can scientifically and systematically get insights into how Filipinos think (cognitively) and behave and act (affectively) in relation to a phenomenon or social problem. Our curiosity triggers us to reflect on whether we might be missing out or have overlooked the complementary social approach to development.

For the social approach to better contribute to development, key social science disciplines should focus on research that provides deeper insights into how individuals, communities, and society think, behave, and act. This is important to examine social problems affecting Philippine development, such as the innovativeness and creativity needed to create new foreign markets and higher value products and services; the need to improve reading comprehension and functional literacy to support innovativeness and creativity; reducing bullying and crimes to promote peace and order, resulting in stability that improves investor confidence; and understanding mindset, poverty, and other social problems.

Scientifically, social science research is ideal for its various qualitative research methods, which apply a scientific process. The process provides us with valuable insights into how individuals, communities, and society think, behave, and act by examining relevant phenomena or social problems.

This research gives us the hows and the whys behind what people think, feel, and why they behave and act in certain ways. Qualitative social science research helps us better understand the roots of social problems, creating better approaches to manage or find solutions to recurring societal problems. Systematically, the process is arranged with connected steps or activities (rational/logical) to investigate a research question from a phenomenon or social problem that produces a conclusion. The conclusion is like a “verified” information valuable for policy analysis and/or formulation because of the steps or activities of the scientific process.

A top Southeast Asian university already has a hub to store research-based data needed for the development of the university and their country. The university invites research outputs from different groups and stakeholders. The key idea is to get valuable information (data mining) to find approaches and other initiatives for development (knowledge management). Thus, reviving and strengthening social science qualitative research could lead to new approaches and initiatives toward Philippine development.

Raymund Sisenando R. Mercado, raymund_mercado@yahoo.com