Abstract
Longitudinal methodology is a powerful study design that focuses on processes and patterns of change; yet it is rarely deployed in research to understand post-conflict circumstances. This article describes experiences and lessons learned from a longitudinal study of an education intervention programme in a post-conflict setting. It illustrates both challenges and successful mitigation strategies for conducting a longitudinal study in a fragile and demanding research environment. Our study identified both methodological (participant recruitment, attrition, contextual variability, instrument modifications and record-keeping) and contextual (community, environmental, security and civil perturbations) challenges that impact longitudinal studies in post-conflict societies. By describing the challenges and successful strategies employed in this longitudinal research study, the article illustrates how researchers and practitioners can utilise this methodology to capture individual change over time, identify impacts and outcomes, and gain a deeper understanding of social phenomena and individual development in post-conflict societies.
Date of this Version
7-31-2025
Recommended Citation
Mohamud, Asia Mohamed; Sdunzik, Jennifer; Burgess, Wilella D.; Dalmar, Abdirisak; and Jimale, Mohamed, "Employing a longitudinal study design in a post-conflict zone: strategies and lessons learned from the field" (2025). Somalia Education Evaluation Publications. Paper 2.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/somaliaedpubs/2
Comments
This is the publisher PDF of Mohamud, A. M., Sdunzik, J., Burgess, W. D., Dalmar, A., & Jimale, M. (2025). Employing a longitudinal study design in a post-conflict zone: strategies and lessons learned from the field. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies (published online ahead of print 2025). Published CC-BY-NC-ND, the version of record is available at DOI: 10.1332/17579597Y2025D000000055.