Qualitative Research in European Migration Studies

Ricard Zapata-Barrero · Evren Yalaz

Jun 2018 · Springer

About this ebook

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.

About the author

Ricard Zapata-Barrero is a Full Professor in the Department of Political and Social Sciences, at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona-Catalonia). His main lines of research deal with contemporary issues of liberal democracy in contexts of diversity, especially the relationship between democracy, citizenship, human mobility and immigration. Director of GRITIM-UPF (Interdisciplinary Research Group on Immigration) and the MSc in Migration Studies at UPF. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the largest research network on Immigration in Europe IMISCOE. He is also a member of several academic journals editorial boards, and of scientific committees of various research centers. Occasional contributor to media and policy debates.

Evren Yalaz is a post-doctoral researcher at Interdisciplinary Research Group on Immigration, University of Pompeu Fabra (GRITIM-UPF). She received her Ph.D. from the Department of Political Science at Rutgers University. Her research interests engage with questions about the politics of migrants, transnationalism, migrants' community organizations, and comparative politics of citizenship, migration, and integration. In her dissertation, she examined the sources of variations in trajectories of immigrant political incorporation by focusing on Turkish immigrants and their organizations in Germany and France. Currently, she works at a comparative project that analyzes non-electoral political mobilization of Spanish emigrants in different European cities.