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Bigger Data and Quantitative Methods in the Study of Socio-Environmental Conflicts

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  • Paul Alexander Haslam

    (School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N6N5, Canada)

Abstract

New data sources that I characterize as “bigger data” can offer insight into the causes and consequences of socio-environmental conflicts, especially in the mining and extractive sectors, improving the accuracy and generalizability of findings. This article considers several contemporary methods for generating, compiling, and structuring data including geographic information system (GIS) data, and protest event analysis (PEA). Methodologies based on the use of bigger data and quantitative methods can complement, challenge, and even substitute for findings from the qualitative literature. A review of the literature shows that a particularly promising approach is to combine multiple sources of data to analyze complex problems. Moreover, such approaches permit the researcher to conduct methodologically rigorous desk-based research that is suited to areas with difficult field conditions or restricted access, and is especially relevant in a pandemic and post-pandemic context in which the ability to conduct field research is constrained.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Alexander Haslam, 2020. "Bigger Data and Quantitative Methods in the Study of Socio-Environmental Conflicts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:18:p:7673-:d:414809
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Haslam, Paul Alexander & Ary Tanimoune, Nasser, 2016. "The Determinants of Social Conflict in the Latin American Mining Sector: New Evidence with Quantitative Data," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 401-419.
    2. Anthony Bebbington & Jeffrey Bury & Denise Humphreys Bebbington & Jeannet Lingan & Juan Pablo Muñoz & Martin Scurrah, 2008. "Mining and social movements: struggles over Mining and social movements: struggles over livelihood and rural territorial development in the Andes," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series 3308, GDI, The University of Manchester.
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    5. Haslam, Paul Alexander & Ary Tanimoune, Nasser & Razeq, Zarlasht M., 2019. "Is “being foreign” a liability for mining companies? Locational liabilities and social conflict in Latin America," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 1-1.
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    8. Bebbington, Anthony & Humphreys Bebbington, Denise & Bury, Jeffrey & Lingan, Jeannet & Muñoz, Juan Pablo & Scurrah, Martin, 2008. "Mining and Social Movements: Struggles Over Livelihood and Rural Territorial Development in the Andes," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 36(12), pages 2888-2905, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sebastián Huneeus & Sergio Toro & Juan Pablo Luna & Diego Sazo & Andrés Cruz & Daniel Alcatruz & Bryan Castillo & Camila Bertranou & Javier Cisterna, 2021. "Delayed and Approved: A Quantitative Study of Conflicts and the Environmental Impact Assessments of Energy Projects in Chile 2012–2017," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-13, June.

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