Jul 07, 2025
PRISMA-ScR Protocol for Registration: Marginal People, Marginality, Marginalization, Indigenous Conflict Resolution and Implications of Public Policy: A Scoping Review
- Wondemagegn Detu Ergano1,
- Professor Busha Taa1,
- Dr Sisay Sahile1
- 1University of Gondar, Ethiopia
Protocol Citation: Wondemagegn Detu Ergano, Professor Busha Taa, Dr Sisay Sahile 2025. PRISMA-ScR Protocol for Registration: Marginal People, Marginality, Marginalization, Indigenous Conflict Resolution and Implications of Public Policy: A Scoping Review. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.8epv5k6z4v1b/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: In development
We are still developing and optimizing this protocol
Created: July 07, 2025
Last Modified: July 07, 2025
Protocol Integer ID: 221853
Keywords: indigenous conflict resolution, indigenous conflict, ethiopia, grassroots practices intersect with formal public policy, social marginalization, public policy, grassroots practice, open science framework, diverse society, marginal people, unequal land, implications of public policy, formal public policy, scr protocol for registration, many regions as local response, marginalization, region, grievance, other resource policy, minority, prisma, many region, scoping review this protocol, marginality, scr protocol
Abstract
This protocol will be registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF). Ethiopia’s diverse societies sustain deep patterns of marginality and social marginalization rooted in historical state formation, caste-like occupational hierarchies, and unequal land, education, and other resource policies. Indigenous conflict-resolution mechanisms have emerged in many regions as local responses to grievances, yet little is known about how these grassroots practices intersect with formal public policies and their level of inclusion of minorities and marginal people.
Troubleshooting
Introduction
Rationale
Ethiopia’s diverse societies sustain deep patterns of marginality and social marginalization rooted in historical state formation, caste-like occupational hierarchies, and unequal land, education, and other resource policies. Indigenous conflict-resolution mechanisms have emerged in many regions as local responses to grievances, yet little is known about how these grassroots practices intersect with formal public policies and their level of inclusion of minorities and marginal people.
Objectives
Map the extent, range, and nature of literature on marginal people and marginalization in Ethiopia.
Identify documented indigenous conflict-resolution mechanisms among marginalized groups and mainstream community.
Examine public policy frameworks and their implications for inclusion and social dynamics.
Highlight gaps for future research and policy development.
Eligibility Criteria
Participants (Population)
Studies of any outcast group in Ethiopia characterized as marginalized, excluded, ostracized, or occupying socially peripheral positions (e.g., occupational castes, ethnic minorities, IDPs, and persons with disabilities).
Concept
Literature addressing: Marginality, marginalization, social exclusion.
Indigenous, customary, or traditional conflict-resolution practices.
Public policy initiatives (social protection, land reform, local governance).
Context
Geographic focus on national, regional, or local settings within Ethiopia. All sectors (rural, urban, pastoral, agrarian) included.
Types of Evidence Sources
Peer-reviewed empirical studies (qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods), theoretical analyses, policy documents, government and NGO reports, doctoral theses, and relevant grey literature.
Time Frame
Publications from January 1, 2000, to March 31, 2025.
Language
English.
Information Sources
We will search the following electronic databases:
JSTOR;
African Journals Online (AJOL);
SpringerLink;
Ethiopian Journals Online (EJOL);
Google Scholar and others.
Grey literature will be identified via:
Ministry of Labour & Social Affairs (NSPP, NSPS) repositories;
UNDP, UN OCHA, Human Rights Watch, ILO websites;
University theses archives (e.g., University of Gondar, Addis Ababa University);
Google (advanced search of PDF and Word documents) and others will be used to identify.
Search Strategy
A draft search string for Google Scholar and database platforms: (“Ethiopia” OR “Ethiopian”) AND (“marginality” OR “marginalization” OR “Causes for Marginalization” OR “Impacts of Marginalization” OR “social exclusion”) AND (“indigenous conflict resolution” OR “customary dispute” OR “traditional mediation”) AND (“policy” OR “public policy” OR “social protection” OR “inclusion” OR “governance”). The full PubMed-style strategy for each database will be appended at registration.
Selection of Sources of Evidence
Titles and abstracts will be screened independently by two reviewers against inclusion criteria.
Full texts of potentially eligible records will be obtained and assessed in duplicate.
Discrepancies will be resolved through discussion or consulting a third reviewer.
A PRISMA flow diagram will document numbers of records identified, screened, included, and excluded (with reasons).
Data Charting Process
A standardized extraction form will be piloted on 5 studies, then refined. The reviewers will chart data independently.
Data Items
For each included source, we will record:
Bibliographic details (author, year, title).
Study region and setting.
Population characteristics.
Conceptual focus (marginality, exclusion, conflict resolution, policy).
Indigenous mechanism described (name, process, actors).
Policy instruments or recommendations discussed.
Key findings and conclusions.
Methodological design.
Critical Appraisal of Individual Sources
Because this is a scoping review, we will not perform formal quality appraisal. We will, however, note study design and potential limitations.
Synthesis of Results
We will present:
A narrative summary organized by thematic domain (historical-state legacies; cultural stigmas; customary mechanisms; policy implications).
Tables and CoCoPo grids mapping context, concept, population, outcomes.
Identification of evidence gaps and research priorities.
Timeline
Activities
Protocol registration: Month 1.
Literature search: Month 1.
Screening & selection: Month 2.
Data charting: Month 4.
Analysis & synthesis: Month 4.
Drafting & finalizing report: Months 4-5.
Funding
No external funding.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.