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

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  • Pamina Firchow
  • Roger Mac Ginty

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Pamina Firchow & Roger Mac Ginty, 2020. "Including Hard-to-Access Populations Using Mobile Phone Surveys and Participatory Indicators," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 49(1), pages 133-160, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:somere:v:49:y:2020:i:1:p:133-160
    DOI: 10.1177/0049124117729702
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Brian Dillon, 2012. "Using mobile phones to collect panel data in developing countries," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(4), pages 518-527, May.
    2. Cramer, C., 2002. "Homo Economicus Goes to War: Methodological Individualism, Rational Choice and the Political Economy of War," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 30(11), pages 1845-1864, November.
    3. Roger Mac Ginty & Oliver Richmond, 2013. "The Local Turn in Peace Building: a critical agenda for peace," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(5), pages 763-783.
    4. Demombynes, Gabriel & Gubbins, Paul & Romeo, Alessandro, 2013. "Challenges and opportunities of mobile phone-based data collection : evidence from South Sudan," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6321, The World Bank.
    5. Peter Van der Windt & Macartan Humphreys, 2016. "Crowdseeding in Eastern Congo," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 60(4), pages 748-781, June.
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    1. Ndashimye, Felix & Hebie, Oumarou & Tjaden, Jasper, 2021. "Effectiveness of WhatsApp for measuring migration in follow-up phone surveys - Lessons from a mode experiment in two low-income countries during COVID contact restrictions," OSF Preprints khd32, Center for Open Science.

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