Reader In Qualitative Methods In Migration Research

This edited collection published in Migration Letters were selected to reflect on methodological challenges faced by researchers and students when conducting qualitative studies on migration. Beginning with papers focusing on broader discussions of methodological issues and some options available to researchers, the latter half of the book explores the narrative methodology in depth with references to several cases. The chapters included in this book was originally published in regular issues and two special issues of Migration Letters journal from 2009 onwards. We have regrouped and ordered these studies to enhance the flow and transition in the book. The first six chapters look into more general issues and debates in migration research methodologies, while chapters seven to ten offer cases studies on alternative qualitative methodologies and then the final six chapters focus on narratives and challenges of the narrative methodology applied in migration studies.

Recent years have witnessed growing interest in a series of issues related to migration, including identity formation and change, the role of social capital and social networks, ethnic discrimination, racism and xenophobia, socio-political participation and mobilisation and the complex nature of the causal mechanisms linked to migration - issues that are better highlighted and investigated using qualitative methods. Moving away from the quantitative and empiricist-positivist approaches that have often characterised migration research, Qualitative Methods in Migration Studies explores in a concise but comprehensive way the key issues involved in researching migratory phenomena in a qualitative manner. It addresses themes including the basic characteristics of contemporary migration, qualitative research into social processes related to migration, and the relationship between theory, research design and practice. Drawing upon empirical case studies and a series of real and hypothetical examples, the book develops a critical realist alternative both to empiricism and interpretivist, social constructionist and post-structuralist relativism in qualitative migration research. With special emphasis on the meta-theoretical dimensions of qualitative research practice, this volume connects qualitative findings to policy formation and ’politics making’, exploring the multiple dimensions involved in researching migratory phenomena, such as ontology, epistemology, methodology, ethics and research practice. As such, it will be of interest to students and researchers in migration across the social sciences.

Covering both qualitative and quantitative topics, the expert contributors in this Handbook explore fundamental issues of scientific logic, methodology and methods, through to practical applications of different techniques and approaches in migration research. The chapters of this interdisciplinary Handbook maintain an introductory level of discussion on migration research methods, while providing readers with references necessary for those wishing to go deeper into the topic. Using a combination of concepts and techniques with research experiences from the field, this Handbook will prove to be an invaluable guide. Master-level students and academics in migration-related programs will find this compendium a useful and stimulating resource. It also discusses issues relating to the collection of data on migrants, including topics such as survey designs, interviewing techniques and ethical issues that policymakers and government employees will find informative. Advisory Board: Professor Stephen Castles Professor Robin Cohen Professor Josh DeWind Professor Raoel Delgado Wise

This open access book covers the main issues, challenges and techniques concerning the application of qualitative methodologies to the study of migration. It discusses theoretical, epistemological and empirical questions that must be considered before, during, and after undertaking qualitative research in migration studies. It also covers recent innovative developments and addresses the key issues and major challenges that qualitative migration research may face at different stages i.e. crafting the research questions, defining approaches, developing concepts and theoretical frameworks, mapping categories, selecting cases, dealing with concerns of self-reflection, collecting and processing empirical evidence through various techniques, including visual data, dealing with ethical issues, and developing policy-research dialogues. Each chapter discusses relative strengths and limitations of qualitative research. The chapters also identify the main drivers for qualitative research development in migration studies. It is a unique volume as it brings together a multidisciplinary perspective as well as illustrations of different issues derived from the research experience of the recognized authors. One additional value of this book is its geographic focus on Europe. It seeks to explore theoretical and methodological issues that are raised by distinctive features of the European context. This volume will be a useful reference source for scholars and professionals in migration studies and in social sciences as well. The publication is also addressed to graduate and post-graduate students and, more generally, to those who embark on the task of doing qualitative research for the first time in the field of migration.

This open access book covers the main issues, challenges and techniques concerning the application of qualitative methodologies to the study of migration. It discusses theoretical, epistemological and empirical questions that must be considered before, during, and after undertaking qualitative research in migration studies. It also covers recent innovative developments and addresses the key issues and major challenges that qualitative migration research may face at different stages i.e. crafting the research questions, defining approaches, developing concepts and theoretical frameworks, mapping categories, selecting cases, dealing with concerns of self-reflection, collecting and processing empirical evidence through various techniques, including visual data, dealing with ethical issues, and developing policy-research dialogues. Each chapter discusses relative strengths and limitations of qualitative research. The chapters also identify the main drivers for qualitative research development in migration studies. It is a unique volume as it brings together a multidisciplinary perspective as well as illustrations of different issues derived from the research experience of the recognized authors. One additional value of this book is its geographic focus on Europe. It seeks to explore theoretical and methodological issues that are raised by distinctive features of the European context. This volume will be a useful reference source for scholars and professionals in migration studies and in social sciences as well. The publication is also addressed to graduate and post-graduate students and, more generally, to those who embark on the task of doing qualitative research for the first time in the field of migration.

The definition of data in qualitative research is expanding. This book highlights the value of embodiment as a qualitative research tool and outlines what it means to do embodied research at various points of the research process. It shows how using this non-invasive approach with vulnerable research participants, such as migrant, refugee and asylum seeking women can help service users or research participants to be involved in the co- production of services and in participatory research. Drawing on both feminist and post-colonial theory, the author uses her own research with migrant women in London, focusing specifically on collage making and digital storytelling, whilst also considering other potential tools for practicing embodied research such as yoga, personal diaries, dance and mindfulness. Situating the concept of ‘embodiment’ on the map of research methodologies, the book combines theoretical groundwork with actual examples of application to think pragmatically about intersectionality through embodiment.

Fundamentals of International Migration is prepared as a textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate courses/modules. This book is a collection of articles and book chapters published in various journals and volumes carefully selected to cover a comprehensive range of topics and issues in contemporary human mobility. Students and tutors of the module would find it useful to guide and enhance classroom discussions. There are 8 parts with 28 chapters. Each part of the book begins with a list of essential and further reading to offer a wide range of views and perspectives to the students of international migration. CONTENTS PART 1: Introduction to Migration Studies Chapter 1. A record 65.3 million people were displaced last year: What does that number actually mean? - Jeffrey H. Cohen and Ibrahim Sirkeci Chapter 2. It is all about being happy in search of security - Ibrahim Sirkeci Chapter 3. Europe’s migration crisis: an American perspective - Philip L. Martin Chapter 4. Fleeing from the Global Compact for Migration: A missed opportunity for Italy - Chiara Scissa PART 2: Concepts and Theories in Migration Studies Chapter 5. A Missing Element in Migration Theories - Douglas S. Massey Chapter 6. Transnational mobility and conflict - Ibrahim Sirkeci Chapter 7. “Old” natives and “new” immigrants: beyond territory and history in Kymlicka's account of group-rights - Darian Heim PART 3: Data and Methods in Migration Studies Chapter 8. Social Research Methods: Migration in Perspective - AKM Ahsan Ullah, Md. Akram Hossain, Mohammad Azizuddin, and Faraha Nawaz Chapter 9. Biographical methods in migration research - Theodoros Iosifides and Deborah Sporton Chapter 10. Strengths, Risks and Limits of Doing Participatory Research in Migration Studies - Diana Mata-Codesal, Laure Kloetzer and Concha Maiztegi PART 4: Migration, Security, and Rights Chapter 11. Universalist Rights and Particularist Duties: The Case of Refugees - Per Bauhn Chapter 12. Bordering Practices across Europe: The Rise of “Walls” and “Fences” - Burcu Toğral Koca Chapter 13. Turkey’s Refugees, Syrians and Refugees from Turkey: A Country of Insecurity - Ibrahim Sirkeci PART 5: Migration Politics, Law and Organisations Chapter 14. Turkish Migration Policy at a Glance - Barbara Pusch and Ibrahim Sirkeci Chapter 15. Immigration and Civil Society: New ways of democratic transformation - Óscar García Agustín and Martin Bak Jørgensen Chapter 16. Immigration Policy in the European Union: Still bringing up the walls for fortress Europe? - Petra Bendel Chapter 17. The Case for a Foreign Worker Advisory Commission - Ray Marshall PART 6: Citizenship, Integration, and Diasporas Chapter 18. Migration and Integration: Austrian and California Experiences with Low-Skilled Migrants - Gudrun Biffl and Philip L. Martin Chapter 19. Integration of Syrians: Politics of integration in Turkey in the face of a closing window of opportunity - Onur Unutulmaz Chapter 20. Citizenship and Naturalization Among Turkish Skilled Migrants - Deniz Yetkin Aker Chapter 21. Westphalia, Migration, and Feudal Privilege - Harald Bauder Chapter 22. Naturalisation Policies Beyond a Western focus - Tobias Schwarz Chapter 23. Wrestling with 9/11: Immigrant Perceptions and Perceptions of Immigrants - Caroline Brettell PART 7: Turkey’s Migration Experience Chapter 24. Syrian Crisis and Migration - Pinar Yazgan, Deniz Eroglu Utku, Ibrahim Sirkeci Chapter 25. Demographic Gaps Between Syrian and the European Populations - Murat Yüceşahin and Ibrahim Sirkeci Chapter 26. Turkish Migration in Europe and Desire to Migrate to and from Turkey - Ibrahim Sirkeci and Neli Esipova PART 8: Contemporary Issues Chapter 27. International Mobility, Erotic Plasticity and Eastern European Migrations - Martina Cvajner Chapter 28. Coronavirus and Migration: Analysis of Human Mobility and the Spread of COVID-19 - Ibrahim Sirkeci and M. Murat Yüceşahin

This volume establishes a new agenda for approaches to migration research and the corresponding methodologies. A wide range of international contributors focus on the question of how to overcome the so-called 'methodological nationalism' within empirical studies on migration. They address two main challenges: how to contextualize the empirical research field; and how to deal with national and ethnic categorizations within the empirical studies. Methodologies on the Move outlines, first of all, a new epistemological basis for migration research, which is pinpointing the relational concept of space. Second, building on the multi-sited method of ethnography, it provides detailed insights into novel qualitative and quantitative research designs. Third, it presents innovative data collection methods on geographic and virtual mobility, and on cross-border social practices. This volume transcends the early criticisms of 'methodological nationalism' in migration research and suggests both general methodological lines as well as helpful tools for empirical analysis. This book was originally published as a special issue of Ethnic and Racial Studies.