This paper critically examines the interplay between conservation efforts and local livelihoods within the context of protected areas in Ethiopia. As the country strives to preserve its rich biodiversity, the designation of protected areas has often led to socio-economic tensions, particularly for rural and indigenous communities who rely on these lands for their sustenance. Drawing on empirical studies, policy analysis, and stakeholder perspectives, this study explores the extent to which conservation policies have considered the rights and needs of local populations. It highlights the challenges of forced evictions, restricted access to resources, and the marginalization of traditional land-use practices. The paper further assesses alternative conservation models such as community-based natural resource management and integrated conservation-development projects (ICDPs), evaluating their potential to balance ecological preservation with human development. Recommendations are offered to inform more equitable and sustainable conservation strategies in Ethiopia.

Despite decades of statistical education, fundamental misconceptions about hypothesis testing persist in the social sciences. This article explores common errors in the interpretation and application of statistical inference—such as misunderstanding p-values, conflating statistical with practical significance, and over-reliance on null hypothesis significance testing (NHST). Drawing on recent methodological critiques and pedagogical studies, the paper analyzes how these misconceptions shape research outcomes, influence publication decisions, and perpetuate flawed scientific reasoning. The article further offers actionable recommendations for improving statistical literacy among researchers, including the adoption of alternative inferential approaches such as Bayesian inference, confidence intervals, and effect size reporting. By unpacking the roots and repercussions of these statistical misinterpretations, this study aims to foster a more nuanced and transparent approach to hypothesis testing in the social sciences.

This study presents a comprehensive reappraisal of the economic significance of gold mineralization within the Ilesha Schist Belt, Southwestern Nigeria, through an integrated application of geophysical and geochemical exploration techniques. Despite historical artisanal mining and previous geological investigations, the full economic potential of this region remains underexplored with modern, systematic approaches. This research employed Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Frequency Domain Electromagnetic (FDEM) surveys to delineate subsurface structures and conductive zones associated with mineralization, complemented by detailed geochemical analysis of soil and rock samples for gold and associated pathfinder elements. The geophysical surveys successfully identified anomalous zones indicative of potential sulphide mineralization and quartz veins, while geochemical analyses revealed significant gold concentrations spatially correlated with these geophysical anomalies. The integrated interpretation of these datasets provides compelling evidence for previously unrecognized or underestimated gold occurrences, suggesting a higher economic viability than previously assessed. The findings underscore the critical role of integrated exploration methodologies in unlocking the full mineral potential of complex geological terrains like the Ilesha Schist Belt and offer valuable insights for future targeted exploration and sustainable resource development in Nigeria.