1|Page
CMY3708 Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) - DUE 16
March 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
A Critical Discussion of the Characteristics and Purpose of Qualitative Research: An
Application to the Investigation of Extortion in the Marikana Informal Settlement, Philippi
East (Western Cape) ................................................................................................................................ 2
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Definition of Key Concepts ............................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Qualitative Research .................................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Extortion .......................................................................................................................................... 2
2.3 Fieldwork ......................................................................................................................................... 3
2.4 Nature and Extent of Crime ........................................................................................................ 3
3. Characteristics of Qualitative Research ........................................................................................ 3
3.1 Interpretivist Philosophical Foundation .................................................................................. 3
3.2 Exploratory and Descriptive Nature ......................................................................................... 4
3.3 Contextual and Naturalistic Inquiry .......................................................................................... 4
3.4 Use of Non-Probability Sampling .............................................................................................. 5
3.5 Data Collection Methods ............................................................................................................. 5
3.6 Inductive Data Analysis ............................................................................................................... 5
3.7 Researcher Reflexivity ................................................................................................................. 6
3.8 Credibility and Trustworthiness ................................................................................................ 6
4. The Purpose of Qualitative Research Applied to the Marikana Extortion Case ................. 6
4.1 Understanding the Meaning of Extortion in Context ........................................................... 6
4.2 Exploring the Nature of Extortion ............................................................................................. 6
4.3 Determining the Extent of Extortion ......................................................................................... 7
4.4 Understanding Investigative Challenges ................................................................................ 7
4.5 Informing Crime Prevention Strategies ................................................................................... 7
5. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................ 8
6. References............................................................................................................................................. 8
, 2|Page
A Critical Discussion of the Characteristics and Purpose of Qualitative Research:
An Application to the Investigation of Extortion in the Marikana Informal
Settlement, Philippi East (Western Cape)
1. Introduction
Extortion has increasingly become a serious and violent crime affecting vulnerable
communities in South Africa. The Marikana informal settlement in Philippi East recently
experienced a fatal shooting incident allegedly linked to extortion activities (Masilela,
2026). This case highlights the urgent need to understand the nature and extent of
extortion within informal settlements.
This assignment critically discusses the characteristics of qualitative research, with
particular attention to its purpose. The discussion is applied to the proposed qualitative
study involving detectives from the provincial serious and violent crimes unit of the
South African Police Service (SAPS). The aim is to demonstrate how qualitative
research is appropriate for exploring the complexity of extortion in Marikana.
2. Definition of Key Concepts
2.1 Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is a systematic inquiry approach that seeks to understand social
phenomena from the perspectives of those experiencing them (Creswell & Poth, 2018).
It focuses on meanings, experiences, interpretations and social processes rather than
numerical measurement.
2.2 Extortion
Extortion refers to the unlawful and intentional obtaining of property, money, or
advantage through coercion, threats, or intimidation (Snyman, 2014). In informal
CMY3708 Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) - DUE 16
March 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
A Critical Discussion of the Characteristics and Purpose of Qualitative Research: An
Application to the Investigation of Extortion in the Marikana Informal Settlement, Philippi
East (Western Cape) ................................................................................................................................ 2
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Definition of Key Concepts ............................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Qualitative Research .................................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Extortion .......................................................................................................................................... 2
2.3 Fieldwork ......................................................................................................................................... 3
2.4 Nature and Extent of Crime ........................................................................................................ 3
3. Characteristics of Qualitative Research ........................................................................................ 3
3.1 Interpretivist Philosophical Foundation .................................................................................. 3
3.2 Exploratory and Descriptive Nature ......................................................................................... 4
3.3 Contextual and Naturalistic Inquiry .......................................................................................... 4
3.4 Use of Non-Probability Sampling .............................................................................................. 5
3.5 Data Collection Methods ............................................................................................................. 5
3.6 Inductive Data Analysis ............................................................................................................... 5
3.7 Researcher Reflexivity ................................................................................................................. 6
3.8 Credibility and Trustworthiness ................................................................................................ 6
4. The Purpose of Qualitative Research Applied to the Marikana Extortion Case ................. 6
4.1 Understanding the Meaning of Extortion in Context ........................................................... 6
4.2 Exploring the Nature of Extortion ............................................................................................. 6
4.3 Determining the Extent of Extortion ......................................................................................... 7
4.4 Understanding Investigative Challenges ................................................................................ 7
4.5 Informing Crime Prevention Strategies ................................................................................... 7
5. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................ 8
6. References............................................................................................................................................. 8
, 2|Page
A Critical Discussion of the Characteristics and Purpose of Qualitative Research:
An Application to the Investigation of Extortion in the Marikana Informal
Settlement, Philippi East (Western Cape)
1. Introduction
Extortion has increasingly become a serious and violent crime affecting vulnerable
communities in South Africa. The Marikana informal settlement in Philippi East recently
experienced a fatal shooting incident allegedly linked to extortion activities (Masilela,
2026). This case highlights the urgent need to understand the nature and extent of
extortion within informal settlements.
This assignment critically discusses the characteristics of qualitative research, with
particular attention to its purpose. The discussion is applied to the proposed qualitative
study involving detectives from the provincial serious and violent crimes unit of the
South African Police Service (SAPS). The aim is to demonstrate how qualitative
research is appropriate for exploring the complexity of extortion in Marikana.
2. Definition of Key Concepts
2.1 Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is a systematic inquiry approach that seeks to understand social
phenomena from the perspectives of those experiencing them (Creswell & Poth, 2018).
It focuses on meanings, experiences, interpretations and social processes rather than
numerical measurement.
2.2 Extortion
Extortion refers to the unlawful and intentional obtaining of property, money, or
advantage through coercion, threats, or intimidation (Snyman, 2014). In informal
