african terrorism and boko haram

Conceptualizing Boko Haram is challenging, requiring a multifaceted theoretical framework. Boko Haram did not emerge out of a vacuum. It is hypothesized that Boko Haram has been influenced by other radical groups as well as trans-national religious extremism. Moreover, it is hypothesized that Boko Haram functions as a political opposition group. The theoretical framework used to characterize the political function and focus of Boko Haram is based on social alienation and particularly the Frustration-Aggression theoretical framework as suggested by Omadjohwoefe (2013). Frustration-Aggression theory is related to conflict theory, in that systematic alienation and oppression lead to widespread frustration and despair, and the outlet for that despair is violence. Violence has been normalized within the context of quasi-religious ideology, which simultaneously promises to rectify corruption in the government and replace the existing regime with one that claims to empower the disenfranchised elements of Nigerian society. Moreover, the dependent variable in the research will be related to the Nigerian economy. As a terrorist organization using destruction of public infrastructure as a military tactic, Boko Haram undermines the very causes it seeks to uphold: the economic uplifting of the people. Using these theoretical frameworks, the research will identify some of the causes of Boko Haram with the goal of identifying the most sensible solutions.

A quasi-experimental research design is experimental and tests a causal hypothesis, but lacks the strict controls of random assignment (Trochim, 2006). With the dependent variable as an economic equation, it is possible to conduct a quasi-experimental design in which the effects of Boko Haram on the Nigerian economy can be postulated. A regression discontinuity design or a propensity score matching method are both quasi-experimental design methods that can be used for this research (White & Sabarwal, 2014). Because regression discontinuity is best for studies like this involving retrospective data, it may be the ideal method. When we study the regional and international influences on Boko Haram, we can also use a quasi-experimental design. It is possible to examine the causal effects of radical insurgency on Boko Haram versus groups in other countries, or to examine the differential effects of radical insurgency on various communities in Northern Nigeria.

The main limitation to using the quasi-experimental method in this case is internal validity, as there is no actual control group and there is no random assignment. While studying the economic impacts of Boko Haram, it is impossible to know what the Nigerian economy might have looked like had the terrorist organization never existed. We are instead comparing the economy before and after the emergence of Boko Haram, and it is difficult to control for extraneous variables that would have otherwise impacted the economy. Similarly, when conducting a quasi-experimental design applied to causal effects of other terrorist and religious fundamentalist groups, it is difficult to find a direct comparison group. Operationalizing the variables may prove challenging, as will testing for numerous but related hypotheses. However, the quasi-experimental design also has strengths. We can compare Nigeria to another case study in the region. Or, we can conduct focused studies within Nigerian communities. The quasi-experimental design covers much of the ground of an experimental design, when the latter is unavailable or not feasible as in this case.

The problem statements for this research are focused on the devastating impacts of Boko Haram on Nigerian political and economic stability, and on regional stability too. However, we are also focusing on the causal factors that may be overlooked by the Nigerian government, to show that alienation and despair caused by economic and political injustice cause greater support for radical groups like Boko Haram. We also suggest that religious fundamentalism and radical insurgency from neighboring regions and other parts of the world have influenced Boko Haram and bolstered support for the group. The purpose of the research is to determine whether or not the activities of other groups inspired or in some way enhanced Boko Haram, and what that impact has on the Nigerian economy.

This multi-faceted approach addresses causes and effects, which is the rationale for choosing a quasi-experimental design. The quasi-experimental design allows for the examination of causal relationships, such as between other groups and Boko Haram, between economic disenfranchisement and Boko Haram, or between Boko Haram and economic conditions. A quasi-experimental design provides the means to tackle both of the primary research questions: the first related to the genesis of Boko Haram and the second to the impact of Boko Haram. The design will include the identification of an acceptable cohort, perhaps taken from two different communities in Northern Nigeria, one affected by Boko Haram and the other less so. Another possibility would be a linear regression or longitudinal retrospective study in which data is collected from Nigerian communities before Boko Haram's emergence as well as every year thereafter, to determine effects. Examining the ways other groups influenced Boko Haram may be more difficult to achieve using quantitative methods, so it will be important to locate proto-groups that gave rise eventually to Boko Haram.

References

Omadjohwoefe, S. (2013). Insecurity and sustainable development. American International Journal of Social Science 2(7).

Trochim, W.M.K. (2006). Quasi-experimental design. Research Methods Knowledge Base. Retrieved online: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/quasiexp.php

White, H. & Sabarwal, S. (2014). Quasi-experimental design and methods. UNICEF. Retrieved online: https://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/brief_8_quasi-experimental%20design_eng.pdf