Chapter 3

Research Methodology
3.1. Methodology
This research work focuses on the negative effects of the Boko Haram on the girl child in Borno
State by the group which has impacted the world view of the victims. In order to have an in depth
analysis while conducting this study, the researcher adopted the mixed method methodology. This
methodology combines both qualitative and quantitative methods for research work. The mixed
methodology allows to give credibility to the study and eliminating the weakness using a single
method. Using a mixed methodology of quantitative and qualitative approaches offer a relatively
complete picture of the extent of media coverage of the long-running and complex (Bryman, 2012).

3.1.1. Qualitative Methodology

A qualitative research as a social inquiry interested in analysing the
subjective meaning or the social production of issues, events, or practices by collecting non-
standardised data and analysing texts and images rather than numbers and statistics (Flick, 2014).
One the advantages of qualitative research methodology is that it involves verbal description of
real-life situations (Silverman, 2014) and data are primarily derived from interviews which are
analysed in a natural and local setting from people’s expressions and activities often over a time
period. (Flick,2014; and Gray, 2014). This methodology was utilised to focus on the thoughts and
experiences of female children affected by the Boko Harm conflict.
Another advantage of qualitative methodology of research, is it is a veritable tool for knowledge
production as it allows for reflection from the researcher (Mbaya, 2019).
Furthermore, the researcher will combine the Phenomenological and Historical Studies method of
qualitative research. The Phenomenological studies examine human experiences through the
descriptions provided by the people involved, in this case the girl child at the IDP camp. While
Historical studies concern the identification, location, evaluation, and synthesis of data gathered
from prior research.

3.1.2. Quantitative Methodology

The quantitative methodology places emphasis on objective measurements and mathematical &
statistical analysis of data acquired from questionnaires and surveys. It also allows analysis of
previously data collected from older research on the subject matter. This ensures proper content
analysis for examination of data and mapping out of patterns from data acquired from participants.

3.1.3. Results & Conclusion

The mixed methodology will enable the researcher not only analyse but understand how the conflict
has impacted on them. Data gathered will be analysed to understand their past experiences and
predict future consequences as a result. It is intended that the results and conclusion influence
government at all levels to adopt policies to reintegrate victims and deter future occurrences.

3.2. Research Questions

i. What are the perspectives regarding the status of women and children during armed conflicts and
displacement?
ii. What is the nature of Boko Haram insurgency and its harrowing attacks on women and the girl
child in particular?
iii. What are the situations of the displaced women and children in the IDPs camps in Borno state?
iv. How can tackling the girl child perspective improve the situation of the displaced women and
 children in Borno state?
v. How can the girl child perspective be integrated effectively with Nigeria’s government
humanitarian programmes in Borno state?

3.3. The Researcher

The researcher is Susan Ada Omachi graduated from the department of psychology at the
University of Jos and is currently undertaking a post graduate program at the Department of Peace
& Conflict Resolution at the University of Maiduguri. She is a social worker who works with
troubled youth and is passionate about causes that take into account women empowerment,
enlightenment and education.

3.4. Research Participants

To identify primary participants, the researcher visited the Dalori Camp in Maiduguri. This is the
largest IDP camp in Borno State. It houses fifteen thousand (15,000) individuals who fled from
Southern Borno State one of the hardest hit regions of the state by the crises. The researcher sought
approval from the Ministry of Health, Borno State and the health department of the Maiduguri
Metropolitan Council before visiting the camp. With approval from relevant government agencies,
she then approach local stakeholders within the camp to describe the study and explained the
significance of participating, and requested participation. Verbal informed consent was obtained
from the guardians of each participants.
Participants were split into two categories, primary and secondary. Primary participants were school
aged girls while the secondary participants are otherwise known as key informants. A key informant
is someone with knowledge about a specific organization, program, problem or interest with whom
an interview is conducted (Lavrakas, 2008). These category of participants were the community
leaders within the camps, health workers and camp officials.
Participants were selected using a combination of the Convenience sampling method for the
primary participants and Purposeful Sampling Method for secondary participants. With the
convenience method, participants are selected on their willingness to participate and will yield
useful result which might contain some form of bias. The purposeful sampling method enabled the
researcher identify individuals with knowledge relevant to the research topic and they were
identified by sources within the Ministry of Health, Borno State and Department of Health of the
Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (LGA). Using the two sampling methods aids in mitigating against
bias from data acquired.

3.5. Data Collection

The researcher's acquired using a combination of interviews and questionnaires. Qualitative
questionnaires forms were developed and had to be filled by the researcher herself due to the
literacy level. The questionnaires and interviews were prepared with open-ended questions, to draw
as much responses as possible from participants and conducted mostly in the Hausa language,
which happens to be the most popular language of Northern Nigeria. A total of 50 participants; 35
primary participants and 15 secondary participants were interviewed.
As earlier pointed out, sampling bias can not be ruled out and to mitigate against it, the researcher
employed constant comparative analysis. This analysis enables evaluation of data gathered are
coded and compared across categories to identify patterns which can later be refined as new data is
obtained.
The questionnaires are coded in the order which the interview was conducted in batches of five.
This provides room for the researcher to understand the perspective of the participants and analyse
their experiences and possibly modify the questionnaires as the sampling interviews goes on to
tailor the focus on the participants in a structured way.
Also, the researcher will constantly compare data acquired by her and previous data so as to deduce
patterns.

3.6. Data Integrity

Data integrity encompasses the trustworthiness and reliability of data acquired during course of a
research. The term also describes the overall accuracy, validity, completeness of data and its
accessibility to those seeking to validate it. (Brook, 2020)
A method by which to guarantee data integrity, is the researcher ensuring the questionnaires and the
interview experience stay on track and discuss the phenomenon being studied as argued by Lincoln
& Guba (!985). This makes the data confirm-able and mitigates against potential bias from the
researcher. The researcher instituted a set of rules and several controls to
mitigate against bias maintain trustworthiness. Interviews would be recorded with permission from
the participants, using voice recording applications for mobile phones and later transcribed.
Comparative analysis was critical in lending credibility for data acquired.
Interviews and questionnaires are then manually coded to aid objective interpretation.

3.7. Ethics
Maintaining proper ethics while conducting this study was always a top priority for the researcher.
The researcher sought the appropriate permissions and consent from government authorities, camp
officials, community leaders and guardians of the participants. Confidentiality was maintained and
the interviews were held in a calm and secluded part of the camp. Efforts were also made to
maintain the dignity of participants and they, being children were offered some form light
refreshment and gifts to get them to feel at ease so that can provide more information and insights
on their plights. Only participants that did not demonstrate any impaired mental capacity or speech
impediments were interviewed. Transcriptions and recordings will be kept by the researcher for six
(6) years before being erased as part of efforts in maintain confidentiality.

3.8. Summary
Results, analysis and interpretation are presented in the next chapter.