Surveys of migration in developing countries : a methodological review

This state-of-the-art report examines the purpose, relevance, scope, design, and coverage of the body of sample surveys which have been conducted in response to this need. The authors find that most sample surveys have two common themes - analyzing the relationship between migration, urbanization, and development; and filling a data gap of importance to the host country. They proceed to highlight the sources of survey data and the trade-off between conducting broad national surveys versus indepth local surveys, and discuss the technical considerations involved in conducting a survey: sample design and size; survey frequency; use of retrospective data and repeat surveys; and identification of out-migrants. The authors next address the crucial issue of how to define migration. Although all definitions agree that migration entails an origin, a destination, and a time frame, some definitions include a variety of other criteria (e.g., intentions, motives, distance, residence) which hamper cross-national comparisons and mask considerable movement. Given a certain definition and a set of research tools, demographers should then identify the socioeconomic, demographic, and psychological differences between migrants and nonmigrants and seek to understand the determinants of migration. However, the authors comment that few researchers have made concerted efforts to collect and analyze the necessary data. In addition, research has centered on adaptation to migration rather than on the multiple impacts felt in the receiving and, especially, in the sending areas. The authors recommend that increased attention be given to migration and other forms of human movement, especially at the level of the individual; that questions regarding movement be included in both national and local censuses; and that data collection be guided by appropriate theoretical concerns and incorporate new and innovative research methods. Appended are examples of selected sample survey instruments and a 19-page bibliography.