CMY3708
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: 16 March 2026
This document includes:
Helpful answers and guidelines
Detailed explanations and/ or calculations
References
Connect with the tutor on
+27 81 278 3372
, Characteristics and Purpose of Qualitative Research: An Application to the
Marikana Extortion Case Study
1. Introduction
Qualitative research is an approach that is used when a researcher wants to
understand social problems from the perspective of the people who experience or
deal with them. It is especially useful in criminology, where crime is shaped by
complex social, economic and cultural factors. In the case of the Marikana informal
settlement in Philippi East, seven people were killed in a shooting that police believe
is linked to extortion activities. This type of crime cannot be understood only through
statistics. It requires an in depth understanding of how extortion operates, who is
involved, how detectives investigate it, and how communities experience it.
As part of a qualitative study with detectives from the provincial serious and violent
crimes unit, the focus would not only be on how many cases exist, but on the
meaning, patterns and processes behind extortion in that community. This essay
critically discusses the characteristics and purpose of qualitative research, using the
Marikana extortion case as a practical example.
2. Definition of key concepts
Qualitative research
Qualitative research refers to an approach that explores social phenomena through
the collection and analysis of non numerical data such as interviews, observations
and documents (Creswell 2014; Babbie 2016). It seeks to understand experiences,
meanings and processes from the perspective of participants (Corbin 2015).
Extortion
Extortion is a crime where a person unlawfully obtains money, property or advantage
from another person through threats, intimidation or coercion. In informal
settlements, extortion often takes the form of protection payments demanded from
residents or business owners.
© Study Shack 2026. All rights Reserved +27 81 278 3372
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: 16 March 2026
This document includes:
Helpful answers and guidelines
Detailed explanations and/ or calculations
References
Connect with the tutor on
+27 81 278 3372
, Characteristics and Purpose of Qualitative Research: An Application to the
Marikana Extortion Case Study
1. Introduction
Qualitative research is an approach that is used when a researcher wants to
understand social problems from the perspective of the people who experience or
deal with them. It is especially useful in criminology, where crime is shaped by
complex social, economic and cultural factors. In the case of the Marikana informal
settlement in Philippi East, seven people were killed in a shooting that police believe
is linked to extortion activities. This type of crime cannot be understood only through
statistics. It requires an in depth understanding of how extortion operates, who is
involved, how detectives investigate it, and how communities experience it.
As part of a qualitative study with detectives from the provincial serious and violent
crimes unit, the focus would not only be on how many cases exist, but on the
meaning, patterns and processes behind extortion in that community. This essay
critically discusses the characteristics and purpose of qualitative research, using the
Marikana extortion case as a practical example.
2. Definition of key concepts
Qualitative research
Qualitative research refers to an approach that explores social phenomena through
the collection and analysis of non numerical data such as interviews, observations
and documents (Creswell 2014; Babbie 2016). It seeks to understand experiences,
meanings and processes from the perspective of participants (Corbin 2015).
Extortion
Extortion is a crime where a person unlawfully obtains money, property or advantage
from another person through threats, intimidation or coercion. In informal
settlements, extortion often takes the form of protection payments demanded from
residents or business owners.
© Study Shack 2026. All rights Reserved +27 81 278 3372
