Measuring remittances through surveys: Methodological and conceptual issues for survey designers and data analysts
<b>Background</b>: The accurate measurement of migrant remittances is central to understanding both the dynamics and the consequences of migration. Empirical studies rely on survey data about remittances, which are difficult to collect in a precise and reliable form. <b>Objectiv...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
2014-11-01
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| Series: | Demographic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol31/41/ |
| _version_ | 1818277176043110400 |
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| author | Richard Brown Jørgen Carling Sonja Fransen Melissa Siegel |
| author_facet | Richard Brown Jørgen Carling Sonja Fransen Melissa Siegel |
| author_sort | Richard Brown |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background</b>: The accurate measurement of migrant remittances is central to understanding both the dynamics and the consequences of migration. Empirical studies rely on survey data about remittances, which are difficult to collect in a precise and reliable form. <b>Objective</b>: We explore the complexities and the challenges associated with the design of surveys on migrants' remittances, drawing upon our experiences over a number of studies in which we compiled and analysed data on migrants' remittances across a wide range of countries and contexts. Our goal is not to prescribe specific solutions, but rather to raise awareness of key methodological choices and their implications, not only among those engaged in survey design, but also among analysts who rely on data collected by others. <b>Methods</b>: We specify a number of definitional, methodological, and conceptual issues the researcher must address before embarking on the task of survey and questionnaire design. These include the need to take into account the various forms that remittances may take, the different channels through which they are transferred, the parties and relationships which could be involved, and the differences in the perspectives of senders and recipients, and of individuals and households. We also examine the implications of survey issues related to the sensitivity and the reliability of responses. <b>Conclusions</b>: Our results suggest that both survey designers and analysts who are relying on survey data collected by others should (1) be aware of the specific methodological choices involved in collecting survey data about remittances; and (2) set priorities that reflect (a) the substantive objective of the study, (b) the particular context at hand, and (c) the value of generating results comparable to those of surveys in other contexts. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T22:57:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ea0b1116d5ce43d2b541b6aae35d973b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1435-9871 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T22:57:22Z |
| publishDate | 2014-11-01 |
| publisher | Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Demographic Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-ea0b1116d5ce43d2b541b6aae35d973b2022-12-22T00:08:54ZengMax Planck Institute for Demographic ResearchDemographic Research1435-98712014-11-01314110.4054/DemRes.2014.31.412380Measuring remittances through surveys: Methodological and conceptual issues for survey designers and data analystsRichard Brown0Jørgen Carling1Sonja Fransen2Melissa Siegel3University of QueenslandPeace Research Institute OsloMaastricht Graduate School of GovernanceMaastricht Graduate School of Governance<b>Background</b>: The accurate measurement of migrant remittances is central to understanding both the dynamics and the consequences of migration. Empirical studies rely on survey data about remittances, which are difficult to collect in a precise and reliable form. <b>Objective</b>: We explore the complexities and the challenges associated with the design of surveys on migrants' remittances, drawing upon our experiences over a number of studies in which we compiled and analysed data on migrants' remittances across a wide range of countries and contexts. Our goal is not to prescribe specific solutions, but rather to raise awareness of key methodological choices and their implications, not only among those engaged in survey design, but also among analysts who rely on data collected by others. <b>Methods</b>: We specify a number of definitional, methodological, and conceptual issues the researcher must address before embarking on the task of survey and questionnaire design. These include the need to take into account the various forms that remittances may take, the different channels through which they are transferred, the parties and relationships which could be involved, and the differences in the perspectives of senders and recipients, and of individuals and households. We also examine the implications of survey issues related to the sensitivity and the reliability of responses. <b>Conclusions</b>: Our results suggest that both survey designers and analysts who are relying on survey data collected by others should (1) be aware of the specific methodological choices involved in collecting survey data about remittances; and (2) set priorities that reflect (a) the substantive objective of the study, (b) the particular context at hand, and (c) the value of generating results comparable to those of surveys in other contexts.http://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol31/41/household datamigrationquestionnaire designremittancessamplingsurvey methodology |
| spellingShingle | Richard Brown Jørgen Carling Sonja Fransen Melissa Siegel Measuring remittances through surveys: Methodological and conceptual issues for survey designers and data analysts Demographic Research household data migration questionnaire design remittances sampling survey methodology |
| title | Measuring remittances through surveys: Methodological and conceptual issues for survey designers and data analysts |
| title_full | Measuring remittances through surveys: Methodological and conceptual issues for survey designers and data analysts |
| title_fullStr | Measuring remittances through surveys: Methodological and conceptual issues for survey designers and data analysts |
| title_full_unstemmed | Measuring remittances through surveys: Methodological and conceptual issues for survey designers and data analysts |
| title_short | Measuring remittances through surveys: Methodological and conceptual issues for survey designers and data analysts |
| title_sort | measuring remittances through surveys methodological and conceptual issues for survey designers and data analysts |
| topic | household data migration questionnaire design remittances sampling survey methodology |
| url | http://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol31/41/ |
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