Surveying immigrants without sampling frames - evaluating the success of alternative field methods

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Demography
• Survey Methodology

Background:

• International surveys face challenges when sampling specific populations like non-EU immigrants.
• Lack of a pre-existing sample frame for non-EU immigrants necessitates innovative survey approaches.
• The Immigrant Citizens Survey (ICS) targeted non-EU immigrants across 15 cities in seven EU countries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of different sampling methods used in the Immigrant Citizens Survey.
• To identify methodological challenges in surveying immigrant populations without a sample frame.
• To compare the accuracy of alternative sampling techniques against official statistics.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 'location sampling' in three countries where no traditional sample frame was available.
• Employed adapted traditional sampling methods in two countries for hard-to-reach immigrant populations.
• Compared survey sample data with official census statistics for accuracy assessment.

Main Results:

• Alternative sampling methods, including location sampling, successfully produced meaningful results for core demographic characteristics.
• While generally accurate, some estimates derived from alternative sampling methods showed minor deviations from census data.
• Methodological challenges in surveying immigrant groups without sample frames were identified and assessed.

Conclusions:

• Innovative sampling strategies are viable for surveying immigrant populations lacking traditional sample frames.
• Location sampling and adapted traditional methods can provide valuable demographic insights.
• Further research may refine these methods to minimize discrepancies with census data.