CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
Methodology is defined as the structure of research, the rationale or justification for choosing
specific approaches, and the procedures for choosing, compiling, and analyzing data sets.
Techniques and methods by themselves are not the same as methodology. The use of different
instruments or tools, or procedures and techniques, to achieve a specific intellectual objective is
known as methodology. The instruments are the procedures used (Latham 2005). Both
qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques are used in this study.
Because the topic of the study is too complicated to be resolved by a straightforward yes-or-no
hypothesis, qualitative data will be used instead.
3.2 Research Philosophy
Though there were three possible options—positivism, interpretivism, and critical realism—the
positivist paradigm will be chosen for the purposes of this investigation. The term positivism
describes a method that relies on using verifiable facts to evaluate and interpret information
objectively (du Plooy-Cilliers, 2014). The positivist paradigm of research relies on statistical
representation and numerical data. The interpretivist paradigm, on the other hand, adopts an
understanding based on subjective knowledge, which means that it represents an entirely new
way of thinking. The method depends on people's unique interpretations of the world and their
perspectives on it (Nieuwenhuis, 2016). The idea that knowledge of the social world influences
human behavior is one of this tradition's key tenets (Nieuwenhuis, 2016). Experience has shaped
this knowledge, which is particular to each person.
Although the study's sample size is small, relevant results may still be produced from the
qualitative data because both environmental management and mining are vast topics
(Shuttleworth 2008). Field observations, interviews, and questionnaires were often employed
instruments. The questionnaire will be abridged and made simpler to accommodate the majority
of respondents' low reading levels. Three elements comprised the questionnaire: identifying
environmental characteristics and impacts relevant to the site, learning about the environmental
measures in place, and determining the extent of compliance with applicable laws. A variety of
papers, including EIA reports, served as secondary data sources. The field activity involved
gathering effluent samples for chemical analysis in order to determine the quality of water that
the mines released into the surrounding environment. To achieve each purpose, a variety of
techniques will be used, with the final aim being to satisfy each one's unique needs.
3.3 Research Approach
According to Saunders et al. (2007), a research approach is a general plan outlining how the
researcher will approach addressing the research questions. The deductive method and the
inductive approach are the two categories of research approaches identified by the evaluated
literature. The inductive approach starts with the collection and analysis of data. The researcher
developed an explanation based on the patterns and themes that emerged from the data. The goal
of this approach is to generate a new theory or to refine an existing one (Bryman and Bell, 2016).
It fuels more exploration to test if the judgment or probable inference is right or wrong. In the
process, anyone who uses inductive reasoning will explore the given context, the realm and try
or test different scenarios. This kind of exploration is not only good for the purpose of
investigation but it also helps the person indulging in inductive reasoning to understand how
accurate or inaccurate the initial assessments and inferences have been.
3.4 Research design
The collection of techniques and processes used to assess and evaluate the variables listed in the
research problem is known as the study design (Kirumbi, 2018). Depending on the goal of the
study and the underlying philosophy, researchers may choose to use an exploratory, explanatory,
correlational, or descriptive research design. The research design uses for the study is
explanatory as it can provide insights that can inform decision-making in environmental
management. The researcher assumed that the development of effective solutions could be
derived through the application of the explanatory design.
3.6 Target Population
The population is a collection of individuals or participants who have specific qualities that are
pertinent and interesting (Asiamah et al., 2017). The population for the research comprises of
mineworkers at Mberengwa Gold Mine, households and Environmental Management Agencies.
3.2 Sample Size and Mine Site
3.2.1 Questionnaire sample size description
A sample that will be representative of the small-scale operators under the Mberengwa Gold
Mine will be given the questionnaires and interviews. The study population will be made up of
60 homes living within a 10-kilometer radius of the Mberengwa Gold Mine, five mine
employees, and five EMA inspectors from the Mberengwa District. Five mine supervisors
completed all of the questionnaires. The majority of them learned about the environment through
internal safety, health, and environmental training offered by the SHE department of the
Mberengwa Gold Mine, which is made up of the SHE manager, Safety and Environmental
Officers, and a graduate trainee. There are 65 individuals who need to be interviewed,
comprising 5 EMA inspectors and 60 families.
3.2.2 Mine site selection
As was previously noted, there are other mining operations than Mberengwa Gold Mine along
the Great Dyke. Because Mberengwa Gold Mine holds a claim inside the research area and
many, individual mining operations in the area are the source of many environmental problems
along the Great Dyke, this study focuses on specific location mined by the mine. Like any other
problem, addressing environmental challenges requires action at the local or source level.
Mberengwa Gold Mine is the source in this instance, or the grassroots level.
3.3 Research Methods
Methods for Objective 1: To assess the impact of environmental and mining gradients on
vegetation change along the Great Dyke
In order to meet the specific requirements of this objective, a description of the mining methods
used for gold ore extraction along the Great Dyke will be necessary, because these methods vary
depending on the level of gold seams and the different operators. Furthermore, the different
mining support services are discussed to highlight the different activities involved in the gold
mining industry along the Great Dyke. The data gathering methods included the use of
questionnaires, interviews and field observations. These are described in the next section.
3.3.1 Use of questionnaire survey
Questionnaires will be distributed to the households in the mining area. The main aim of the
questionnaire is to identify the different environmental aspects and impacts resulting from the
operations. Supporting questions involved obtaining data about the type, method and period of
operation, environmental aspects and impact identification. A sample questionnaire is supplied
in. The questionnaire addresses all operations, assuming that the respondents would be
cooperative.
3.3.2 Questionnaire distribution and collection
The questionnaire will be designed in English to be completed by the mine manager, as well as
the SHE personnel of the Mberengwa Gold Mine direct operations. The questionnaire consists of
3 sections, where section A covered the environmental aspect and impact identification, section
B follows with the role of environmental legislation and finally, section C dealt with the
implementation of environmental management systems and procedures in Mberengwa Gold
Mine. Considering the nature of mining work, time allotted for other tasks such as the
completion of a questionnaire may be considered a compromise to production. Therefore the
respondents were allowed adequate time, a maximum of three days, to examine the questions and
to find answers yielding the most meaningful results to the research.
In order to obtain a significant respondent rate, prior to the distribution of questionnaires, the
researcher visited each of the sampled sites in the company of the Safety Health and
Environment (SHE) department. During these visits, the overall aim of the research will be
explained, making it known to the miners that they would receive questionnaires. The
questionnaire will be made in simple English which could be easily understood by the
respondents, it is easy to analyse the kind of data needed in English. Distribution will be done by
hand to ensure that the necessary respondents would be reached. Collection will be done in the
same manner, to minimize any chances of questionnaires not being returned.
However, it should be noted that it will be not intended to force respondents to cooperate; they
had the right to refuse. An important limitation is the possibility that respondents would not
cooperate, because especially households are basically concerned with production at the mine
more than they would consider the environmental consequences of their operations. Their main
aim is poverty alleviation rather than environmental management. Maponga & Ruzive (2012)
will note this as the major force (cause) of environmental problems in the same area.
3.3.3 Field observations
Even though determining current environmental impacts associated with mining operations is
largely based on questionnaire survey, field observations were used to determine environmental
impacts on the physical biosphere of the area. This acted as a supporting technique in
establishing the impact of the mining operations on the natural landscape, river morphology,
vegetation diversity and density. Because of a lack of resources on the researcher’s part, some
parameters are not measured, for example air pollution levels.
Through observations and photographic capturing, landscape disfigurement will be nonetheless
recorded. This process will be necessary to determine the manner in which these impacts are
being addressed at source level. Based on the chosen study sites, a site visit to each selected
mining area will be done, visiting all the mines in operation as well as the abandoned sites to
check for any evidence of rehabilitation. Information about the existing and abandoned mines is
obtained from the SHE department and the Mining Engineering department.
Methods for Objective 2: Investigate how heavy metal concentration effects on soil and
water resources influences vegetation change.
Soil samples will be collected in from a total of 30 randomly selected locations drawn from three
sites; (Nkana Slag Dump (BM), Uchi Tailing Dam (TD26), and Mufulira Tailing Dam (TD
10). The control soil samples be obtained from Environmental Management Agency SHE
officers in Mberengwa. Soil samples will be taken at every 100 m interval within a 50–100 m
vicinity of the main area of the tailing dams. Approximately 500 g of a soil sample will be
collected from the top layer (0–25 cm) at each location using a trowel and placed in a
polyethylene bag and will be sealed. The collected samples will be placed in a cool box and will
be taken to the laboratory for analysis. After grinding the soils with a wooden mortar, samples
will be air-dried for 48 h on a laboratory bench and subsequently passed through a 2-mm sieve.
The sediments samples will be extracted using the conventional acid digestion method.
Methods for Objective 3: Determine the socioeconomic impact to communities of
environmental and mining gradients
Methods for Objective 4: Evaluate the Effectiveness of Environmental Management
Approaches Towards Addressing Environmental and Mining Gradients
Developing this objective requires a practical study and discussion of the environmental
approaches used by the organization on the different operations. These approaches are filtered
down to all the operations, but with different levels of application and implementation. Specific
methods of investigation includes document review and interviews with the key actors from the
Mberengwa Gold Mine SHE department.
The selected mine will be sampled for effluent discharge analysis. Samples will be collected
from Mberengwa Gold Mine in the company of the SHE personnel for advice on the water
sampling procedures. Samples will then be taken to Harare for analysis. The parameters to be
assessed are: total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), dissolved oxygen (DO),
chemical oxygen demand (COD), as well as nitrates and cyanide. These parameters are measured
using the effluent standards of the Environmental Management (Effluent and Solid Will be
Disposal Regulations; Statutory Instrument Number 6 of 2007, S.I.6 of 2007). Mine sites (point
of discharge) are targeted for water sampling. Where water is discharged directly into the nearby
river channel, samples are collected directly from the river/stream.
3.3.4 Data analysis
Data analysis is executed using the aspects and impacts analysis matrix adapted from Tinsley &
Pillai (2006). The environmental aspect is described as an element of an organization’s activities,
products or services with either a beneficial or a negative impact on the environment, while an
environmental impact is described as the positive or negative change that occurs in the
environment. Stapleton et al. (2001) affirmed that identifying and managing environmental
aspects yield positive results at the bottom line and provide significant environmental
improvements.
3.14 Ethical Considerations
The ethics that govern the appropriate conduct of research provide the framework for this study.
The study of moral principles and values that direct an individual's or a group's behaviour is
known as ethics. In carrying out this research, the following ethical obligations will be adhered
to:
Voluntary Participation
It was voluntary to engage in the study, the researcher further told the company's respondents,
therefore doing so was up to them. This made it possible for research to be done in an ethical
manner.
Anonymity
The researcher provides the study participants with the confidence that their participation would
remain confidential. The respondents’ names and any identification was not captured on the
questionnaire. Furthermore, because all of the data would be calculated collectively rather than
individually, the researcher assured the respondents that any private information they submitted
would not be linked to any single individual.
3.15 Chapter Summary
This chapter gave a thorough explanation of it, as well as information on the explanatory
research design used to address the study problem and the mixed research approach selected.
Along with an overview and description of the study's target population, sampling strategies, and
research tools, a justification for using a mixed research approach based in the critical realism
theory was provided. The ethical implications of the investigation were also discussed. The
purpose of Chapter 4, which follows, is to discuss the themes that emerged from the analysis of
the study's results.