Table A1.1: Case study matrix and data method
Case study research Indicative research questions explored Output The Sahel as a security
complex 1. What are the structural, proximate and conflict sustaining causes of armed conflicts and insecurity in the Sahel?
2. What are the transnational connections in the dynamic of causes, actors and impacts of armed conflicts and insecurity in the Sahel?
3. What are the response patterns to armed conflicts and large-scale insecurity in the Sahel, and what are the lessons to be learned from these?
4. How have armed conflicts and large-scale insecurities shaped the international relations of Sahelian countries or Sahel region?
1. How have armed conflicts and large-scale insecurity shaped economic processes and growth patterns in affected areas and countries in the Sahel?
2. How have armed conflicts and large-scale insecurities affected human capital (provision and access to basic services such as education, health, housing, employment, etc.) development in affected areas and countries in the Sahel?
3. How have armed conflicts and large-scale insecurities impacted on trade and investment patterns (including tourism) in affected areas and countries in the Sahel?
4. What is the impact of armed conflicts and large-scale insecurity on democratic governance and processes in affected areas and countries in the Sahel?
5. What are the effects of armed conflicts and large-scale insecurity on human rights and civil liberties in Sahelian areas or countries?
6. In what ways have armed conflicts and large-scale insecurity affected security sector governance and operations in Sahelian areas and countries?
7. What are the noticeable effects of
armed conflicts and large-scale insecurity on inter-group relations and national cohesion in Sahelian countries?
8. How have armed conflicts and large-scale insecurity shaped the international
Data methods
The case study approach adopted used a combination of qualitative and quantitative data derived from four sources, namely, key informant interviews, focus group sessions, document analysis and data mapping. The study involved field missions to at least the five frontline States (Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Nigeria), where the research team interacted with officials of national governments, aid and development agencies, representatives of international organizations, civil society groups, women groups, youth, media, and people directly affected by armed conflicts and insecurity in the Sahel (victims, internally displaced persons, refugees, etc.). The use of multiple data types and sources allowed the research to cross check and compare (triangulate) inferences from different data methods, thereby ensuring the robustness, validity, reliability and logicality of data and research findings.
The description of the use of the four data methods is provided as follows:
a) Key informant interviews: this involved semi-structured interviews with identifiable respondents such as government officials (in the security sector, parliamentarians, humanitarian and disaster relief agencies, poverty alleviation agencies, central banks, and ministries of finance, women and children, youth, health, and education); civil society groups (non-governmental organizations, community associations, religious bodies and leaders, and charity organizations); media practitioners; chambers of commerce and private sector organizations and actors; academics;
and internally displaced persons and other people directly affected by armed conflicts and insecurity in the Sahel. This enabled the study to gain invaluable insights into the nature, dynamics and impacts of armed conflicts and insecurity in the Sahel at the micro (individual and community) and macro (societal and national) levels.
b) Focus group sessions (FGD): This involved group conversations and discussions by a select group of six to eight respondents with a view to gauging group-level opinions and consensus and differences in the understanding and assessment of the root causes and impacts of the armed conflicts and insecurity in the Sahel. Given the strong influence of patriarchy and the reality of youth bulges in the frontline States, a targeted FGD session involving women and youth was explored.
c) Document analysis: This involved a survey and review of literature on conflict, security and development in the Sahel. These included policy documents (of national governments, regional organizations and international multilateral agencies and institutions); reports of fact finding missions and public inquiries; reports of civil society groups, non-governmental organizations and aid and humanitarian agencies; records of parliamentary debates and specialist briefings; media reports, published academic papers and reports; press releases and statements by national governments and armed groups; etc. This data source allowed the study to ground its assessment in secondary sources, connect primary data from key informant interviews and focus group sessions with extant knowledge, and expand the evidence base of the study.
d) Survey of extant statistical data sets: This involved an assessment of existing data sets to map the range of available statistics available on socioeconomic and governance issues, and quantitative evidence linked to the root causes and impacts of armed conflicts and insecurities in the Sahel. Some of the potential data sets surveyed included the Human Development Index, the World Development Report, the African Development Bank Country Reports, the World Bank Country Reports, the African Governance Reports, the Global Peace Index, national-level data (from central banks, ministries of finance, national budgets, and bureaus of statistics) and reports on refugees and internally displaced persons reports. This data type and source allowed the study to connect qualitative with quantitative evidence, and to survey the extent to which extant data reflected the realities of socioeconomic, political and governance dynamics of the Sahel.
Table A1.2: Data matrix
Method Data type Indicative sources and
respondents Expected excerpts Link to research problem/question
Method Data type Indicative sources and
respondents Expected excerpts Link to research problem/question Data and
statistical mapping
Quantitative UNDP HDI reports; WDR;
AfDB Reports; African Governance Index/
Report; central bank reports; national budget reports; socioeconomic data sets (from national bureau of statistics);
Global Peace Index;
Military and security expenditure data (from the Stockholm Peace Research Institute (SIPRI));
refugees and internally displaced persons reports
Provide trend analysis of socioeconomic indicators (education, health, housing, mortality and life expectancy, displacement, etc.);
macroeconomic indicators (GDP, foreign direct investments;
trade levels and balances; etc.);
and comparative assessment of social versus military/security spending
Contribute to the assessment of research questions and frontline State case studies.