Constructing the IMMERSE questionnaires
Balancing considerations for multicultural digital data collection with migrant children and young people
The development of survey questionnaires for IMMERSE involved a complex set of considerations in order to ensure the collection of quality data on migrant children’s experiences of education. This presentation will focus on the development of those instruments.
Beginning with the dashboard of indicators as our foundation, we created a suite of data collection instruments to answer the ambitious vision of the project. This involved the development of questionnaires for multiple participant types: parents; younger (6-9) and older children (10-18); teachers and principals. The project aims to collect data from all participant types through a specially designed IT solution which significantly influenced the development of data collection instruments.
The questionnaires incorporated the dashboard of indicators and a range of demographic variables about the children and their schools, intended to complement one another and provide as complete a picture of their socio-educational integration as possible.
We decided to split the children’s questionnaires into two age groups in order to create more age appropriate instruments incorporating child-friendly language and visual imagery for the younger group. The children’s questionnaires also needed to be appropriate for migrant and non-migrant children as we intended to collect data from entire classrooms. In addition to these various participant types and their accompanying specificities we also had to consider issues of language and technology which presented unique challenges, particularly in relation to consent. Finally, in light of recent events we have had to consider the challenges of conducting research in the age of COVID-19 conditions.
Together these questionnaires will inform our understanding of integration of children with migrant backgrounds through analysis of indicators such as school organisation, learning supports, mental health services, staff and student attitudes. They will also provide an insight into the demographic positioning of these children across the partner countries. Key expected outcomes of socio-educational integration include wellbeing, connectedness, educational achievements, access to rights and recognition of diverse language and cultures.
This paper will be of interest to all those engaged in research through online platforms, those engaged in research with children and young people, and with migrants.