The relationship between levels of terrorism and research methods

Abstract

Terrorism remains a critical issue with profound impacts on human societies, particularly in the conflict-prone Middle East. Conducting research in such high-risk environments presents unique ethical, logistical, and safety challenges that significantly influence the choice of research methodologies. This thesis examines the correlation between the level of security risk and the data collection methods employed in academic studies on the causes of terrorism in selected Middle Eastern countries. A systematic review of 38 peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2023 was conducted, analyzing publication trends, geographical distribution, and the relationship between security risks and research methodologies.
The findings reveal that in high-security-risk countries, such as Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, 82% of the studies relied on non-field methods, utilizing secondary data to mitigate risks associated with limited access and safety concerns. In contrast, low-security-risk countries more frequently employed field-based methods, enabling qualitative insights through direct engagement. This study highlights the strategies researchers use to conduct research in countries of different security risk.

Date of Award	Nov 2024
Original language	American English
Supervisor	Athol Yates (Supervisor)