HMDVA81
Assignment 3
(QUALITY
ANSWERS) 2025
NO PLAGIARISM
[Pick the date]
[Type the company name]
,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 concept of “eco-violence” in the context of competition for scarce water
resources and its role in intergroup conflict in the Sahel region, a well-structured literature
review strategy is essential. Below is a detailed explanation of the literature review strategies I
would adopt, including how and where I would search for relevant sources. This answer is
tailored to meet a 20-mark requirement and thus offers both depth and structure.
1. Defining the Scope and Objectives of the Literature Review
Before initiating the search, I will define the aim of the literature review:
To conceptualize eco-violence as a theoretical framework.
To explore the relationship between environmental stress (particularly water
scarcity) and conflict in the Sahel.
To identify existing theoretical gaps that justify the development of a new concept.
This helps narrow the focus to interdisciplinary literature involving environmental studies,
political science, conflict studies, and African regional studies.
2. Keyword and Search Term Development
,I will compile a list of relevant keywords and phrases, including:
“Eco-violence”
“Environmental conflict”
“Water scarcity and conflict”
“Sahel region + intergroup clashes”
“Resource competition + violence”
“Climate change + migration + conflict”
“Environmental security in West Africa”
I will use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to combine these terms in search queries (e.g.,
“water scarcity AND conflict AND Sahel”).
3. Databases and Digital Repositories
To ensure a comprehensive and scholarly literature base, I will use the following academic
databases and digital libraries:
a) Multidisciplinary Databases
Google Scholar – for initial broad searches.
JSTOR – for access to social science and environmental journals.
ScienceDirect (Elsevier) – for scientific studies on water stress and climate impacts.
Wiley Online Library and Taylor & Francis Online – for conflict and environmental
policy literature.
b) Political Science and Conflict-Specific Databases
PAIS Index – for public policy and conflict resources.
ProQuest Political Science Database
International Relations and Security Network (ISN) – for security-focused literature.
c) Environmental and Geographic Sources
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
FAO and World Bank reports on water use and scarcity in the Sahel
IPCC Reports – for climate-related data.
African Development Bank (AfDB) – regional water and conflict data.
d) African and Regional Repositories
African Journals Online (AJOL) – for local and regional studies.
UNISA Institutional Repository – for South African postgraduate research.
ECOWAS and AU reports – for policy perspectives.
, 4. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
To maintain academic rigor, I will apply the following criteria:
a) Inclusion Criteria
Peer-reviewed journal articles (preferably last 15 years)
Books and book chapters on environmental conflict
Grey literature (NGO reports, government documents, think tanks like ISS Africa)
Studies specific to the Sahel region or analogous semi-arid conflict zones
b) Exclusion Criteria
Non-peer-reviewed blogs or opinion pieces
Literature that addresses water scarcity without linking to conflict
Studies irrelevant to Africa or arid conflict zones
5. Review Methods: Thematic and Chronological Approaches
I will use a combination of thematic and chronological review methods:
a) Thematic Review
Theme 1: Climate change and ecological degradation in the Sahel.
Theme 2: Competition over water and pastoral resources.
Theme 3: Ethnic or intergroup tensions linked to ecological scarcity.
Theme 4: Existing concepts (e.g., “resource war”, “environmental security”) and their
limitations.
b) Chronological Review
To trace how the academic discourse around environment-conflict links has evolved, particularly
post-2000 (e.g., since the Darfur conflict often cited as climate-driven).
6. Citation Tracking and Snowballing Technique
I will examine citations and bibliographies of key articles to identify seminal works and recent
contributions. This snowballing technique helps uncover additional primary and secondary
sources not captured in initial database searches.
Assignment 3
(QUALITY
ANSWERS) 2025
NO PLAGIARISM
[Pick the date]
[Type the company name]
,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 concept of “eco-violence” in the context of competition for scarce water
resources and its role in intergroup conflict in the Sahel region, a well-structured literature
review strategy is essential. Below is a detailed explanation of the literature review strategies I
would adopt, including how and where I would search for relevant sources. This answer is
tailored to meet a 20-mark requirement and thus offers both depth and structure.
1. Defining the Scope and Objectives of the Literature Review
Before initiating the search, I will define the aim of the literature review:
To conceptualize eco-violence as a theoretical framework.
To explore the relationship between environmental stress (particularly water
scarcity) and conflict in the Sahel.
To identify existing theoretical gaps that justify the development of a new concept.
This helps narrow the focus to interdisciplinary literature involving environmental studies,
political science, conflict studies, and African regional studies.
2. Keyword and Search Term Development
,I will compile a list of relevant keywords and phrases, including:
“Eco-violence”
“Environmental conflict”
“Water scarcity and conflict”
“Sahel region + intergroup clashes”
“Resource competition + violence”
“Climate change + migration + conflict”
“Environmental security in West Africa”
I will use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to combine these terms in search queries (e.g.,
“water scarcity AND conflict AND Sahel”).
3. Databases and Digital Repositories
To ensure a comprehensive and scholarly literature base, I will use the following academic
databases and digital libraries:
a) Multidisciplinary Databases
Google Scholar – for initial broad searches.
JSTOR – for access to social science and environmental journals.
ScienceDirect (Elsevier) – for scientific studies on water stress and climate impacts.
Wiley Online Library and Taylor & Francis Online – for conflict and environmental
policy literature.
b) Political Science and Conflict-Specific Databases
PAIS Index – for public policy and conflict resources.
ProQuest Political Science Database
International Relations and Security Network (ISN) – for security-focused literature.
c) Environmental and Geographic Sources
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
FAO and World Bank reports on water use and scarcity in the Sahel
IPCC Reports – for climate-related data.
African Development Bank (AfDB) – regional water and conflict data.
d) African and Regional Repositories
African Journals Online (AJOL) – for local and regional studies.
UNISA Institutional Repository – for South African postgraduate research.
ECOWAS and AU reports – for policy perspectives.
, 4. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
To maintain academic rigor, I will apply the following criteria:
a) Inclusion Criteria
Peer-reviewed journal articles (preferably last 15 years)
Books and book chapters on environmental conflict
Grey literature (NGO reports, government documents, think tanks like ISS Africa)
Studies specific to the Sahel region or analogous semi-arid conflict zones
b) Exclusion Criteria
Non-peer-reviewed blogs or opinion pieces
Literature that addresses water scarcity without linking to conflict
Studies irrelevant to Africa or arid conflict zones
5. Review Methods: Thematic and Chronological Approaches
I will use a combination of thematic and chronological review methods:
a) Thematic Review
Theme 1: Climate change and ecological degradation in the Sahel.
Theme 2: Competition over water and pastoral resources.
Theme 3: Ethnic or intergroup tensions linked to ecological scarcity.
Theme 4: Existing concepts (e.g., “resource war”, “environmental security”) and their
limitations.
b) Chronological Review
To trace how the academic discourse around environment-conflict links has evolved, particularly
post-2000 (e.g., since the Darfur conflict often cited as climate-driven).
6. Citation Tracking and Snowballing Technique
I will examine citations and bibliographies of key articles to identify seminal works and recent
contributions. This snowballing technique helps uncover additional primary and secondary
sources not captured in initial database searches.
