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Including Hard-to-Access Populations Using Mobile Phone Surveys and Participatory Indicators

Firchow, Pamina; Mac Ginty, Roger

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Authors

Pamina Firchow



Abstract

One of the main obstacles for survey researchers—especially those conducting surveys in difficult contexts such as postconflict areas—is accessing respondents. In order to address this problem, this article draws on an ongoing research project to reflect on the utility of mobile phones to connect with hard-to-access populations in conflict affected, low-income countries. It considers the strengths and weaknesses of a number of different mobile phone survey modes. The article goes a step further and discusses how (potential) survey respondents can be included in the survey design process thereby increasing the relevance of the research to them and hopefully encouraging them to participate. We conclude by considering the issue of “good enough” methodologies, or the need to balance methodological rigor with an understanding of the exigencies of suboptimal research contexts.

Citation

Firchow, P., & Mac Ginty, R. (2020). Including Hard-to-Access Populations Using Mobile Phone Surveys and Participatory Indicators. Sociological Methods and Research, 49(1), 133-160. https://doi.org/10.1177/0049124117729702

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date Oct 3, 2017
Publication Date Oct 1, 2020
Deposit Date Sep 10, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Sociological Methods and Research
Print ISSN 0049-1241
Electronic ISSN 1552-8294
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 49
Issue 1
Pages 133-160
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0049124117729702
Related Public URLs https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/including-hardto-access-population-using-mobile-phone-surveys-and-participatory-indicators(3935f7eb-6eb5-4986-9092-e9c6d86e0239).html

Files

Accepted Journal Article (426 Kb)
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Copyright Statement
Firchow, Pamina & Mac Ginty, Roger (2017). Including Hard-to-Access Populations Using Mobile Phone Surveys and Participatory Indicators. Sociological Methods & Research First Published October 3, 2017. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.




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