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HMDVA81 Assignment
3 (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) 2025DUE 9
July 2025
NO PLAGIARISM
[Year]
,Exam (elaborations)
HMDVA81 Assignment 3 (QUALITY ANSWERS) 2025
Course
Research Methodology in Development Studies (HMDVA81)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
Handbook of Research Methodology
This document contains workings, explanations and solutions to the HMDVA81
Assignment 3 (QUALITY ANSWERS) 2025.
describe the literature review strategies you will use in a study attempting to develop
the notion “eco-violence” as a new concept describing the complex competition for
scarce water resources that undergird intergroup clashes in the Sahel region. In your
answer, pay particular attention to the following issues: How and where you will search
for sources for the literature review? (20 marks)
To develop the notion of “eco-violence” as a new concept describing the complex competition
for scarce water resources that underpins intergroup clashes in the Sahel region, a
comprehensive and systematic literature review strategy is essential. The strategy must aim to
explore interdisciplinary perspectives from environmental science, political ecology, conflict
studies, and African regional studies. Below is a well-detailed explanation of how and where
sources will be searched, structured around a logical and rigorous academic approach.
🔍 1. Define the Scope and Objectives of the Literature
Review (3 marks)
Before searching for sources, the first step is to clarify the objectives and scope of the review.
The literature review will aim to:
Investigate existing theories and concepts relating to eco-violence, resource conflicts,
and water scarcity.
Contextualise water-related intergroup conflicts in the Sahel.
Identify gaps in the existing literature where the concept “eco-violence” can contribute
new insights.
The review will be thematic and integrative, connecting multiple disciplines and regional
insights to propose a new conceptual framework.
,🌐 2. Databases and Digital Repositories for Source
Collection (5 marks)
To ensure academic rigour and interdisciplinary coverage, multiple academic databases and
repositories will be used. These include:
a) Academic Journal Databases:
Scopus and Web of Science – for high-quality peer-reviewed literature across
environmental sciences, political science, and conflict studies.
JSTOR – to access historical and political science journals, especially useful for
background on the Sahel region.
PubMed – for literature on environmental health implications of water scarcity.
b) Subject-Specific Databases:
Africa-Wide Information – for Africa-focused publications.
HeinOnline – for legal perspectives on natural resource rights and water law.
GreenFILE – for environmental topics including climate change and sustainability.
c) Grey Literature and Policy Sources:
UN Agencies (e.g., UNEP, UNDP, FAO) – for reports on water scarcity and
development in the Sahel.
NGO and Think Tank Reports (e.g., International Crisis Group, ISS Africa, WaterAid,
SIPRI) – for case studies and recent developments.
d) Institutional Repositories:
OpenDOAR – a directory of open access institutional repositories.
ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global – to access previous academic work on
similar themes.
🗝️3. Search Strategies and Keywords (4 marks)
A carefully structured keyword search will be used to retrieve relevant literature. Keywords will
be combined using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) and adapted to each database. Key
search terms may include:
Primary Concepts:
, o “eco-violence”
o “environmental violence”
o “resource conflict” AND “water”
o “climate conflict”
o “intergroup clashes” AND “natural resources”
Geographic Focus:
o “Sahel region”
o “West Africa”
o “Niger”, “Mali”, “Chad”, “Burkina Faso”
Contextual Factors:
o “climate change” AND “water scarcity”
o “pastoralist-farmer conflict”
o “desertification” AND “migration”
Advanced searches will include citation chaining (examining references of key articles) and
backward/forward citation tracking using tools like Google Scholar.
📚 4. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria (3 marks)
To ensure relevance and quality, the literature will be screened using the following criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
Peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and reports.
Publications from the past 20 years, with emphasis on post-2010 literature to reflect
recent climate-related conflicts.
Focus on water scarcity, environmental conflict, and the Sahel.
Exclusion Criteria:
Articles not available in English or French (primary languages of the region).
Publications that deal with general climate change without specific link to conflict.
Sources focusing on purely technical water engineering, unless connected to socio-
political implications.
🔍 5. Analytical Approach to Reviewing the Literature (3
marks)
Once the literature is gathered, a qualitative thematic analysis will be employed to identify key
trends and theoretical gaps. Key steps include:
HMDVA81 Assignment
3 (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) 2025DUE 9
July 2025
NO PLAGIARISM
[Year]
,Exam (elaborations)
HMDVA81 Assignment 3 (QUALITY ANSWERS) 2025
Course
Research Methodology in Development Studies (HMDVA81)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
Handbook of Research Methodology
This document contains workings, explanations and solutions to the HMDVA81
Assignment 3 (QUALITY ANSWERS) 2025.
describe the literature review strategies you will use in a study attempting to develop
the notion “eco-violence” as a new concept describing the complex competition for
scarce water resources that undergird intergroup clashes in the Sahel region. In your
answer, pay particular attention to the following issues: How and where you will search
for sources for the literature review? (20 marks)
To develop the notion of “eco-violence” as a new concept describing the complex competition
for scarce water resources that underpins intergroup clashes in the Sahel region, a
comprehensive and systematic literature review strategy is essential. The strategy must aim to
explore interdisciplinary perspectives from environmental science, political ecology, conflict
studies, and African regional studies. Below is a well-detailed explanation of how and where
sources will be searched, structured around a logical and rigorous academic approach.
🔍 1. Define the Scope and Objectives of the Literature
Review (3 marks)
Before searching for sources, the first step is to clarify the objectives and scope of the review.
The literature review will aim to:
Investigate existing theories and concepts relating to eco-violence, resource conflicts,
and water scarcity.
Contextualise water-related intergroup conflicts in the Sahel.
Identify gaps in the existing literature where the concept “eco-violence” can contribute
new insights.
The review will be thematic and integrative, connecting multiple disciplines and regional
insights to propose a new conceptual framework.
,🌐 2. Databases and Digital Repositories for Source
Collection (5 marks)
To ensure academic rigour and interdisciplinary coverage, multiple academic databases and
repositories will be used. These include:
a) Academic Journal Databases:
Scopus and Web of Science – for high-quality peer-reviewed literature across
environmental sciences, political science, and conflict studies.
JSTOR – to access historical and political science journals, especially useful for
background on the Sahel region.
PubMed – for literature on environmental health implications of water scarcity.
b) Subject-Specific Databases:
Africa-Wide Information – for Africa-focused publications.
HeinOnline – for legal perspectives on natural resource rights and water law.
GreenFILE – for environmental topics including climate change and sustainability.
c) Grey Literature and Policy Sources:
UN Agencies (e.g., UNEP, UNDP, FAO) – for reports on water scarcity and
development in the Sahel.
NGO and Think Tank Reports (e.g., International Crisis Group, ISS Africa, WaterAid,
SIPRI) – for case studies and recent developments.
d) Institutional Repositories:
OpenDOAR – a directory of open access institutional repositories.
ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global – to access previous academic work on
similar themes.
🗝️3. Search Strategies and Keywords (4 marks)
A carefully structured keyword search will be used to retrieve relevant literature. Keywords will
be combined using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) and adapted to each database. Key
search terms may include:
Primary Concepts:
, o “eco-violence”
o “environmental violence”
o “resource conflict” AND “water”
o “climate conflict”
o “intergroup clashes” AND “natural resources”
Geographic Focus:
o “Sahel region”
o “West Africa”
o “Niger”, “Mali”, “Chad”, “Burkina Faso”
Contextual Factors:
o “climate change” AND “water scarcity”
o “pastoralist-farmer conflict”
o “desertification” AND “migration”
Advanced searches will include citation chaining (examining references of key articles) and
backward/forward citation tracking using tools like Google Scholar.
📚 4. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria (3 marks)
To ensure relevance and quality, the literature will be screened using the following criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
Peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and reports.
Publications from the past 20 years, with emphasis on post-2010 literature to reflect
recent climate-related conflicts.
Focus on water scarcity, environmental conflict, and the Sahel.
Exclusion Criteria:
Articles not available in English or French (primary languages of the region).
Publications that deal with general climate change without specific link to conflict.
Sources focusing on purely technical water engineering, unless connected to socio-
political implications.
🔍 5. Analytical Approach to Reviewing the Literature (3
marks)
Once the literature is gathered, a qualitative thematic analysis will be employed to identify key
trends and theoretical gaps. Key steps include:
