Rethinking research methods in protracted violent conflicts in Mozambique: fieldwork in complex emergencies

Kudakwashe Chirambwi
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引用次数: 1

Abstract

Purpose This paper argues for the need to use multiple sources and methods that respond to research challenges presented by new forms of war. There are methodological constraints and contention on the superiority given to positivist and interpretivist research designs when doing fieldwork in war situations, hence there is a need to use integrated data generation techniques. The combined effect of severe limitations of movement for both the researcher and researched fragmented data because of polarized views about the causes of the war and unpredictable events that make information hard to come by militate against systematic, organised and robust data generation. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to make fieldwork researchers understand significant research problems unique to war zones. Design/methodology/approach This research was guided by the postmodernist mode of thought which challenges standardised research traditions. Fieldwork experiences in Cabo suggest the need to use the composite strategies that rely on the theoretical foundation of integrative and creative collection of data when doing research in violent settings. Findings The fieldwork experiences showed that the standardised, conventional and valorised positivist and ethnographic research strategies may not sufficiently facilitate understanding of the dynamics of war. There should not be firm rules, guidelines or regulations governing the actions of the researcher in conflict. As such, doing research in violent settings require reflexivity, flexibility and creativity in research strategies that respond to rapid changes. Research experiences in Mozambique show the need to use blended methods that include even less structured methodologies. Originality/value Fieldwork experiences in Cabo challenges researchers who cling to standardised research traditions which often hamper awareness of new postmodernist mode of thought applicable to war settings. It is essential to study the nature of African armed conflicts by combining creativity and flexibility in the selection of research strategies.
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重新思考莫桑比克长期暴力冲突中的研究方法:复杂紧急情况下的实地调查
本文认为需要使用多种来源和方法来应对新形式战争带来的研究挑战。在战争情况下进行实地调查时,实证主义和解释主义研究设计的优越性存在方法论上的限制和争论,因此需要使用综合数据生成技术。由于对战争起因和不可预测事件的观点两极分化,使得信息难以获得,研究者和被研究数据的行动受到严重限制,这两者的综合影响阻碍了系统、有组织和可靠的数据生成。因此,本文的目的是使实地研究人员了解战区特有的重大研究问题。本研究以后现代主义思维模式为指导,挑战了标准化的研究传统。在卡波的实地工作经验表明,在暴力环境中进行研究时,需要使用依赖于综合和创造性收集数据的理论基础的复合策略。实地调查的经验表明,标准化的、传统的、有价值的实证主义和民族志研究策略可能不足以促进对战争动态的理解。不应该有严格的规则、指导方针或条例来管理冲突中的研究人员的行为。因此,在暴力环境中进行研究需要研究策略的反身性、灵活性和创造性,以应对快速变化。莫桑比克的研究经验表明,需要使用混合方法,其中包括更少结构化的方法。原创性/价值在卡波的实地工作经历挑战了那些坚持标准化研究传统的研究人员,这往往阻碍了对适用于战争背景的新后现代主义思维模式的认识。必须在选择研究策略时结合创造性和灵活性来研究非洲武装冲突的性质。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
6.40
自引率
20.00%
发文量
20
期刊介绍: The Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management (JHLSCM) is targeted at academics and practitioners in humanitarian public and private sector organizations working on all aspects of humanitarian logistics and supply chain management. The journal promotes the exchange of knowledge, experience and new ideas between researchers and practitioners and encourages a multi-disciplinary and cross-functional approach to the resolution of problems and exploitations of opportunities within humanitarian supply chains. Contributions are encouraged from diverse disciplines (logistics, operations management, process engineering, health care, geography, management science, information technology, ethics, corporate social responsibility, disaster management, development aid, public policy) but need to have a logistics and/or supply chain focus. JHLSCM publishes state of the art research, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative approaches, in the field of humanitarian and development aid logistics and supply chain management.
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