We used both quantitative and a qualitative approach to design, collect and analyse the data. The goal of this method is defined as describing and understanding rather than explanation and prediction of human behaviour Babbie, (2001). Qualitative research involves exploration, elaboration and systematisation of the significance of an identified phenomenon. Babie and Mouton, (2001:270) define qualitative research as an approach in which research takes as its departure point the insider perspective on social action. It is a research approach that privileges the emic perspective that is, the lived experience of the subject, and the meaning the subjects attaches to the phenomena being investigated while quantitative research involves counting and
measuring of events and performing the statistical analysis of a body of numerical data Smith, (1988). Being deductive and particularistic, quantitative research is based upon formulating the research hypotheses and verifying them empirically on a specific set of data K, D. Bailey, (1998) while qualitative research involves an in-depth understanding of human behaviour and the reasons that govern human behaviour. In a simpler form, it investigates the why and how of decision-making, as compared to what, where, and when of quantitative research. Rees, (1997) asserts that rather than presenting the results in the form of statistics, qualitative research produces words in the form of comments and statements. Qualitative research offers insights and understandings of participants, which is unobtainable by quantitative research, but is more than just non-numerical research. It aims to study the subject in their natural surroundings and to collect naturally occurring, non-biased data. It describes in words, rather than numbers, the qualities of the subject through observation. While qualitative data analysis can take a wide variety of forms it tends to differ from quantitative research in the focus on language, signs and meaning as well as approaches to analysis that are holistic and contextual, rather than reductionist and isolationist. Nevertheless, systematic and transparent approaches to analysis are almost always regarded as essential for rigor. For example, many qualitative methods require researchers to carefully code data and discern and document themes in a consistent and reliable way. According to Creswell, (2003) qualitative methods yield large volumes of exceedingly rich data obtained from a limited number of individuals. Qualitative data collection methods include the use of photography, interviews, group and/or individual, observation, field notes, projective techniques, life stories etc. While quantitative methods include a representation of an empirical system in a numerical mathematical system for the purpose of reasoning analytically within the mathematical system.
The decision to use qualitative methodology in this study has been influenced by qualitative researchers that point out that qualitative methods permit a considerable amount of flexibility.
Grinnell, (1987) points out that qualitative data with its emphasis on people’s lived experiences is fundamentally well suited for locating the meanings of people, place on the events, processes and structures of their lives. The qualitative approach has many advantages which this study draws on. These include, producing more in-depth and comprehensive information, it makes use of subjective information and participant observation to describe the context, or natural setting, of the variables under consideration, as well as the interactions of the different variables in the
context. The disadvantages of qualitative method are that it is very difficult to prevent or detect researcher induced bias and its scope is limited due to the in-depth, comprehensive data gathering approaches required. Validity can be a major concern. Observers are forced to rely almost exclusively on their perceptions. They are, therefore, more susceptible to subjectivity, prejudices and selective perceptions. This can be major obstacles in participatory observation;
since the researcher forms a close link with respondents and actually becomes part of the total situation Bailey, (1998).
The first aspect of the methodology was involved conducting an in depth survey of various secondary literatures that were identified as pertaining closely to key aspects of the land tenure problem. More specifically, the literatures that were studied, and the justifications for the inclusion of each, are as follows:
This first dimension of the methodology is comprised of a critical approach to a range of secondary theoretical and analytic resources, which has allowed for the construction of a broad conceptual framework for the study of contemporary land tenure. The other aspect of our methodology that need to be discussed pertains to our approach, and mode of, primary data collection. That data would of course constitute the raw material to which the theoretical framework would later be applied. And whilst some recent empirical studies were utilised, the perceived inadequacies in that work necessitated that more extensive use was made of first hand data gathered during fieldwork. Therefore, a qualitative approach to data collection, which involved conducting around seven hundred semi-structured interviews with female headed households and key informant interviews with key stakeholders, was the primary means by which this was achieved. In light of the host of methodological issues that are raised by conducting such interview-based research, ethical and other such relevant and constraining factors that were encountered.
As will be discussed later in the other chapters of the thesis, much of the contemporary published research on the subject of land tenure suffers from a lack of political and historical analysis, and has rather confined itself to a comparatively shallow and conceptually restricted econometric approach to the issue. A lengthier explanation of this situation will again be provided later, but for now I will say that two main reasons can be identified for the limitations to this study. Land tenure is an intensely political subject in Sierra Leone, for reasons that will again be outlined
later. Hence, in light of the aforementioned political economy approach to the issue adopted, it was necessary to conduct field interviews in Sierra Leone in order to try and compensate for the lack of enough evidence, and uncover sufficient information on the political and traditional dimensions of the land tenure debate.
A series of semi-structured interviews was carried out within the country between January and February, 2014. Most interviews lasted for about one hour to one hour 30 minutes, and comprised ten sections with semi-structured questions, which were varied somewhat according to the specific vocation and/or background of the individuals in question, and to which interviewees were encouraged to respond at length and in depth. Questions for the female headed households were coded questions. Whilst there was considerable variance in the questions asked, several issues central to the thesis were, in most cases, raised in some form, such as: the extent to which the interviewee considered the land tenure system as a whole and the specific problem of gender imbalance which is considered an obstacle to development; the views on the potential of land tenure reform to instigate productivity growth, as well as the efficacy of the current land grabbing problems going on within the country that is being carried out by central government (especially within the three districts; Port Loko, Bombali and Pujehun districts, where land grabbing is going on presently) and finally whether, to what extent, and in what ways they believed that politics have influenced land tenure policy making and practices, and related developmental activities. Interviewees were also encouraged to describe their own individual involvement in land tenure-related activities/projects.
3.1.1 Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA)
We studied village centres using Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) methods. Freundenberger, (1994:7) has defined the methodology of RRA as “a family of methods designed to get practical information on development issues in local communities quickly”. This methodology has been improved upon through the years by allowing local people to actively participate in the collection and analysis of data. The improved version of RRA is referred to as participatory rural appraisal (PRA) Chambers, (1992). Chambers has however cautioned that there is likelihood that PRA
may be misused to describe RRA that is extractive rather than participatory. He points out that it is important to separate out definitions of RRA as a form of data collection by outsiders who then take it away and analyse it; and PRA as more participatory, meaning that outsiders are convenors, catalysts and facilitators to enable people to undertake and share their own investigations and analysis.
3.1.2 Field Pre-test
The first phase of the study was a pre-test of the five districts and in each district one community was selected to test the relevance of the research tools and how quick can respondents be able to understand the questions was the purpose of this first aspect.
In planning and coordination of the research, a pre-test activity was held between 3rd – 5th January 2014 across five selected districts as a sample trying to capture whether this work will identify the various forms/types of harmful traditional practices in Sierra Leone and its effects on women’s landownership, enumerate the factors that support the persistence of the culture and people-centred solutions in Sierra Leone, determine the effectiveness and application of the domesticated legal instruments-the three Gender Acts 2007 in safeguarding women in Sierra Leone, and assess the current roles of the Government of Sierra Leone in promoting the rights of women towards land in Sierra Leone.
As part of the fulfilment of this research, the pre-test activity was conducted in these five districts Bombali, Tonkolili, Western Rural, Bo and Kenema districts. Targeting one female household head each. This process plays an important role in providing a strong background ascertaining whether the objectives of this research are in line with the questions in the questionnaire to address the issues stated above in chapter one. Moreover, the aim of the pre-test was also to determine the applicability of the questions to the current burning issue and check whether the timing is appropriate for the interviews and how well understood the subject matter would be to the interviewees and the interviewers.
This activity started with a brief introduction which is the normal norm in the targeted communities with a group of stakeholders involving local leaders, youths and women
respectively. The introduction gives a clear picture on the process of the entire research.
Communities where receptive and with enthusiasm cooperated with the enumerators to conduct the pre-test. At this point the researchers understudy the trend at which the questions were asked, how the perception of the respondent influences greater discussion to generate realistic information, taking in to consideration the different languages spoken in the targeted areas, their perspective about gender (male and female) and issues affecting both sex with emphasis on land ownership and its impact on food security.
Challenges from the pre-test
Some of the enumerators are not familiar with the issues containing the questionnaire. As a result of this, inappropriate information was captured during the pre-test of the questionnaires. This gave rise for the lead researcher to organize another sessions (debriefing) of the content of the questionnaire with the enumerators. After which, enumerators were then able to interpret the questionnaire in a simpler way that responded could easily understand and provide relevant information pertaining the questionnaire.