**5. Methodology and area of study**

The research is descriptive and exploratory and targets women farmers and households in selected communities in the region that have been affected by large scale land deals. It draws on field research carried out in the North West Region (NWR) of Cameroon and employed a quantitative methodological approach that provided an indepth understanding of the experiences of members of the community studied. The study examines underlying connections between large scale land deals and livelihood activities in general and women's livelihoods in particular including the link to household food security. Data for this study was gathered using both primary and secondary sources. Primary data, which constituted the principal source of information for the study was elicited using multiple data collection methods. Through a survey and in-depth interviews, the study provides an account of respondents' views and perceptions of the effects of local large-scale land deals on rural livelihood options by exploring the meanings women themselves and the rural population give to these issues. Information was also sought from respondents on the various actors involved in the process and the effects of land deals on rural livelihoods and household food security. Meanwhile, the survey and interview also collected data on the gender roles and livelihood options or choices of respondents, the land tenure arrangements in the community and how this affects the access and control profile of men and women with respect to land in the selected communities. Data generated for the study was analyzed using themes identified both from literature and interviews, which were also guided and captured by the objectives of the study.
