2. Introduction
4.3 Research Design
Kumar (2014:122) defines a research design as “the roadmap that you decide to follow during your research journey to find answers to your research questions as validly, objectively and economical as possible”. The researcher is concerned with exploring the link between criminology and land reform policy, a topic that very little research exists. Neuman (2011:38) explains that exploratory research is used when the subject is very new, we know little or nothing about it. There is wide literature on land reform, however, there is little research done on the criminal elements affecting land restitution in SA in the post-apartheid era. Similar knowledge has been discussed in chapter two, however, not the exact topic. According to Bless (1993), the process of the researcher looking for a road map to follow when conducting their research refers to the set of procedures that guide the researcher in the process of verifying a hypothesis and excluding all other possible hypothesis or explanations. It allows the researcher to draw conclusions between variables.” On the other hand, Polit (1985) states research design refers to the researcher’s overall plan for obtaining answers to the research questions.
In this study, the researcher used a non-empirical research design (systematic review) to find new knowledge on the topic. The researcher followed the pre-determined steps as explained by Punch (2014:108), namely; initiate review and specific aims, formulate review questions and decide on nature and method of review; develop inclusion/exclusion criteria search strategy for relevance and acceptability of literature to be reviewed; this includes types of literature, key variables, time-frame and publication types.
Systematic literature review
According to Cough, Oliver and Thomas (2012:5), systematic review is a form of research that identifies, describes, appraises and synthesizes available research literature ‘using systematic and explicit accountable methods. Punch (2014:108) points out that systematic review uses pre-specified protocols and formalized tools for searching, screening, coding, weighting and integrating literature. Bryman (2012:102) defines systematic literature review as a replicable, scientific and transparent process, that aims to minimise bias through exhaustive literature search and unpublished studies by providing an audit trail of the reviewer`s decisions, procedures and conclusions. The research topic, research aim, research purpose and research
65 | P a g e questions of this research were defined in line with the documentary documents detailing the decided cases and available literature. This was done in chapters one and two.
For the purposes of this study, the researcher visited libraries, including the UKZN library and the Internet to search literature on the existing evidence relevant to research questions to collect and analyse data from the indicated (Supra) dissertations, journal articles, academic books and conference papers on land reform and the crimes which are included thereof. Bryman (2012:103) seeks out studies relevant to the research aim, purpose and questions and the search will be based on keywords / phrases. This systematic review of literature used in chapter two and in the analysis of data chapter was derived on local and international studies of land restitution process in the KZN Province and elsewhere. The date which the search was being conducted, data collection methods (documentary and systematic literature review.
Sample size and procedures
Singleton, Straits and McAllister (1988:153) define sampling as the technique by which a sample is drawn from the population. The researcher is concerned with finding information where the issue exists as there is limited or no research on the topic to address the research problem. Denscombe (2010:41) explains non-probability sample can also be particularly useful in exploratory research where the aim is to find if the problem exists in a quick and inexpensive way.
Purposive Sampling was used for this research as described by Maree (2007:178) that this type of sampling is done with a specific purpose in mind about specific people or events who are deliberately selected because they are likely to produce the most valuable data. For the study, the sample did not deal with specific individuals but data primarily from printed mass media reports related to the research topic.
Methods of data collection
Maxfield and Babbie (2005:209) emphasise that the value of research depends on how the data is gathered. According to Denscombe (2002:70), it is crucial to gain access to documents and people for the purpose or else researchers will engage in speculation on the subject. In order to address the research objectives, the researcher will gather data by means of the following:
66 | P a g e The data was collected using primary and secondary sources. Primary data sources are referred to as “the term primary source is used broadly to embody all sources that are original. Primary sources provide first-hand information that is closest to the object of study” (Persaud, n.d.).
Examples of secondary data sources are newspapers and textbooks. For the orientation of this research subject, the researcher read the existing and published literature that appeared relevant to this research topic. Considering this, herewith the selection of primary and secondary sources, among others, that were consulted by the researcher:
• Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act (Act No. 108 of 1996);
• Relevant publications on land restitution process, Government Information Brochure / Documentations; Strategic Plan; Annual Reports; Statistics South Africa; and Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) of KZN.
• Other local and international statutes on land restitution process.
Also, consulted was:
• Textbooks on the research subject;
• Journal articles on land restitution process;
• Internet sources on land restitution process; and
• Dissertations and theses on land restitution process.
Documentary sources
The researcher visited the library and went online to access data from an electronic database such as Sabinet (South African Media –newspapers). Matthews and Ross (2010:282) explain that one can ask questions of documents in the same ways as one might ask questions of research respondents. The design of this research is exploratory in nature, in the form of a literature study (systematic literature review), which provides a sound overview of existing publications about the land restitution process.
The views of different authors, which will relate to the problem that will be researched, were discussed to place this current research within a conceptual and theoretical context. The information sources for this research comprised of recent academic books, academic journals articles, practice-oriented and popular journal articles, white papers, national instructions, circulars, policy documents and information available on the internet.
67 | P a g e Methods of data analysis
The researcher used the Content Analysis (CA) to sample documents. Bryman (2012:289) explains that CA is an approach to the analysis of documents that seeks to quantify contents in terms of predetermined categories and in a systematic and replicable manner. Bryman (2012:293) provides that CA is a method that can be applied to many kinds of documents. Flick (2014:429) state that CA is a classical procedure for analysing textual material it may range from media products to interview data. In this regard, since it desktop research and no interviews needed, the researcher will analyse documents and available literature.