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Using mixed methods for addressing researcher’s safety in a conflict area: an innovative use of mixed methods research in Zimbabwe

Takavarasha Jr, Sam ; Bednar, Peter LU and Adams, Carl (2011) In Int. Journal of Mixed Methods in Applied Business and Policy Research 1(1). p.29-52
Abstract
Conducting robust research in a conflict or post-conflict area is complicated by concern for the researcher‟s safety and the difficulty of reaching remote areas. In this paper we open a new frontier in mixed methods (MM) research by demonstrating how it can be used to address safety concerns. We used qualitative and quantitative work carried out in and outside the conflict zone to overcome the challenges of conducting Information Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) research in Zimbabwe. To minimise a researcher‟s vulnerability we used the exploratory findings from each phase to focus the design of subsequent confirmatory and explanatory phases on appropriate phenomena. A rare four-phase sequential mixed methods design... (More)
Conducting robust research in a conflict or post-conflict area is complicated by concern for the researcher‟s safety and the difficulty of reaching remote areas. In this paper we open a new frontier in mixed methods (MM) research by demonstrating how it can be used to address safety concerns. We used qualitative and quantitative work carried out in and outside the conflict zone to overcome the challenges of conducting Information Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) research in Zimbabwe. To minimise a researcher‟s vulnerability we used the exploratory findings from each phase to focus the design of subsequent confirmatory and explanatory phases on appropriate phenomena. A rare four-phase sequential mixed methods design consisting of novel capability maps, focus groups, survey and in-depth telephone interviews is discussed. Using these methods in sequential phases proved to be safer and more robust than using mono methods in Zimbabwe at the time. Their ability to foster the collection of relevant data while reducing the researchers‟ exposure to danger is given as a key success factor towards the innovative use of MM to address safety concerns and it is presented as one of the exciting opportunities that MM offers. (Less)
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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Mixed Methods, ICT, Information Systems, Research Methods, Applied Research
in
Int. Journal of Mixed Methods in Applied Business and Policy Research
volume
1
issue
1
pages
29 - 52
publisher
CQUniversity Australia
ISSN
1839-857X
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
669858e6-241e-4886-9f10-8d1b3847b10d (old id 4317742)
alternative location
http://acquire.cqu.edu.au:8080/vital/access/services/Download/cqu:6885/SOURCE3?open=true
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 14:45:23
date last changed
2018-11-21 20:29:51
@article{669858e6-241e-4886-9f10-8d1b3847b10d,
  abstract     = {{Conducting robust research in a conflict or post-conflict area is complicated by concern for the researcher‟s safety and the difficulty of reaching remote areas. In this paper we open a new frontier in mixed methods (MM) research by demonstrating how it can be used to address safety concerns. We used qualitative and quantitative work carried out in and outside the conflict zone to overcome the challenges of conducting Information Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) research in Zimbabwe. To minimise a researcher‟s vulnerability we used the exploratory findings from each phase to focus the design of subsequent confirmatory and explanatory phases on appropriate phenomena. A rare four-phase sequential mixed methods design consisting of novel capability maps, focus groups, survey and in-depth telephone interviews is discussed. Using these methods in sequential phases proved to be safer and more robust than using mono methods in Zimbabwe at the time. Their ability to foster the collection of relevant data while reducing the researchers‟ exposure to danger is given as a key success factor towards the innovative use of MM to address safety concerns and it is presented as one of the exciting opportunities that MM offers.}},
  author       = {{Takavarasha Jr, Sam and Bednar, Peter and Adams, Carl}},
  issn         = {{1839-857X}},
  keywords     = {{Mixed Methods; ICT; Information Systems; Research Methods; Applied Research}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{29--52}},
  publisher    = {{CQUniversity Australia}},
  series       = {{Int. Journal of Mixed Methods in Applied Business and Policy Research}},
  title        = {{Using mixed methods for addressing researcher’s safety in a conflict area: an innovative use of mixed methods research in Zimbabwe}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/4145848/4317747.pdf}},
  volume       = {{1}},
  year         = {{2011}},
}