CMY3708
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: 16 March 2026
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, A Critical Discussion of the Characteristics and Purpose of Qualitative
Research: Applying the Marikana Extortion Case Study
1. Introduction
Qualitative research is widely used in the social sciences when a researcher wants
to understand people, behaviour and social processes in depth. It focuses on
meanings, experiences and interpretations rather than numbers and statistics. In
criminology, qualitative research is especially important because crime is rooted in
human behaviour, social relationships and community contexts. When studying
complex problems such as extortion in an informal settlement like Marikana in
Philippi East, it is not enough to count incidents. Researchers must understand how
extortion operates, how detectives investigate it, how victims experience it, and how
it affects the wider community. This essay critically discusses the characteristics and
purpose of qualitative research and applies these to the extortion case study. The
discussion draws on leading scholars in research methodology and shows how a
qualitative approach would assist field workers conducting research with detectives
from the serious and violent crimes unit.
2. Definition of key concepts
Qualitative research refers to a research approach that seeks to understand social
phenomena from the perspective of participants by collecting and analysing non
numerical data such as words, observations and documents (Creswell 2014; Babbie
2016).
Extortion in criminological terms refers to obtaining money, property or services
through threats, intimidation or coercion. In the Marikana case study, the shooting is
linked to extortion activities within the informal settlement.
Natural setting refers to the real life environment where social interaction occurs.
Qualitative research is conducted in these real contexts rather than in controlled
laboratory environments (Neuman 2014).
Varsity Cube 2026 +27 81 278 3372
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: 16 March 2026
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, A Critical Discussion of the Characteristics and Purpose of Qualitative
Research: Applying the Marikana Extortion Case Study
1. Introduction
Qualitative research is widely used in the social sciences when a researcher wants
to understand people, behaviour and social processes in depth. It focuses on
meanings, experiences and interpretations rather than numbers and statistics. In
criminology, qualitative research is especially important because crime is rooted in
human behaviour, social relationships and community contexts. When studying
complex problems such as extortion in an informal settlement like Marikana in
Philippi East, it is not enough to count incidents. Researchers must understand how
extortion operates, how detectives investigate it, how victims experience it, and how
it affects the wider community. This essay critically discusses the characteristics and
purpose of qualitative research and applies these to the extortion case study. The
discussion draws on leading scholars in research methodology and shows how a
qualitative approach would assist field workers conducting research with detectives
from the serious and violent crimes unit.
2. Definition of key concepts
Qualitative research refers to a research approach that seeks to understand social
phenomena from the perspective of participants by collecting and analysing non
numerical data such as words, observations and documents (Creswell 2014; Babbie
2016).
Extortion in criminological terms refers to obtaining money, property or services
through threats, intimidation or coercion. In the Marikana case study, the shooting is
linked to extortion activities within the informal settlement.
Natural setting refers to the real life environment where social interaction occurs.
Qualitative research is conducted in these real contexts rather than in controlled
laboratory environments (Neuman 2014).
Varsity Cube 2026 +27 81 278 3372
