Cheryl M. R. Sulaiman?Hill|Sandra C. Thompson
Sampling challenges in a study examining refugee resettlement
Curtin University|Curtin University
almost half refugees currently united nations protection afghanistan iraq significant numbers already resettled outside region origin likely future research examine resettlement needs number methodological challenges confront researchers working culturally linguistically diverse groups however detailed articles available inform studies aim paper outline challenges sampling recruitment socially invisible refugee groups describing method adopted mixed methods exploratory study assessing mental health subjective wellbeing resettlement perspectives afghan kurdish refugees living new zealand australia sampling strategies used previous studies similar refugee groups considered determining approach recruitment snowball approach adopted study multiple entry points communities used choose wide range people possible provide contacts reduce selection bias census data used assess representativeness sample sample 193 former refugee participants recruited christchurch n 98 perth n 95 47 afghan 53 kurdish ethnicity good gender balance males 52 females 48 achieved overall mainly result sampling method used differences demographic composition groups location observed especially relation length time spent refugee situation time since arrival reflecting variations national humanitarian quota intakes although measures problematic census data comparison assess reasonable representativeness study sample generally reassuring snowball sampling multiple initiation points reduce selection bias necessary locate identify participants provide reassurance break barriers personal contact critical recruitment data quality highlighted importance interviewer cultural sensitivity crossnational comparative studies particularly relating refugee resettlement within different policy environments also need take consideration differing premigration experiences time since arrival refugee groups add additional layers complexity study design interpretation