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Qualitative data in demography

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Randall

    (University College London (UCL))

  • Todd Koppenhaver

    (Johns Hopkins University)

Abstract

Qualitative methods and insights from other disciplines are increasingly integrated into demography’s traditionally quantitative toolkit. Whereas this is not problematic for multi-disciplinary research projects difficulties may arise when quantitatively trained demographers diversify to use less familiar data collection tools. We review the scale of this recent trend and the choice of qualitative methods typically employed by demographic researchers. Using insights from a comparative qualitative study undertaken in Zimbabwe and Senegal, we discuss some problems inherent in qualitative data collection and analysis and propose ways in which such data should and should not be used. Focussing in particular on semi-structured in-depth interviews, we discuss issues of representativity, investigate respondents’ silence on specific topics, and the role of interviewer characteristics in influencing the interview subject matter.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Randall & Todd Koppenhaver, 2004. "Qualitative data in demography," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 11(3), pages 57-94.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:11:y:2004:i:3
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2004.11.3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Susan Cotts Watkins, 2000. "Local and Foreign Models of Reproduction in Nyanza Province, Kenya," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 26(4), pages 725-759, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Monika Mynarska & Anna Matysiak, 2010. "Women's determination to combine childbearing and paid employment: How can a qualitative approach help us understand quantitative evidence?," Working Papers 26, Institute of Statistics and Demography, Warsaw School of Economics.
    2. Michelle Poulin, 2010. "Reporting on first sexual experience," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 22(11), pages 237-288.
    3. Pawe³ Strzelecki, 2010. "Projekcja liczby pracuj¹cych w rolnictwie indywidulanym w Polsce w latach 2008-2035," Working Papers 31, Institute of Statistics and Demography, Warsaw School of Economics.
    4. Adele Lebano & Lynn Jamieson, 2020. "Childbearing in Italy and Spain: Postponement Narratives," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 46(1), pages 121-144, March.
    5. Richard Brown & Jørgen Carling & Sonja Fransen & Melissa Siegel, 2014. "Measuring remittances through surveys," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 31(41), pages 1243-1274.
    6. Enid Schatz & Nicole Angotti & Sangeetha Madhavan & Christie Sennott, 2015. "Working with teams of "insiders"," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(12), pages 369-396.
    7. Monika Mynarska, 2011. "Kiedy mieæ dziecko? Jakoœciowe badanie procesu odraczania decyzji o rodzicielstwie," Working Papers 32, Institute of Statistics and Demography, Warsaw School of Economics.
    8. Daniele Vignoli & Raffaele Guetto & Giacomo Bazzani & Elena Pirani & Alessandra Minello, 2020. "Economic Uncertainty and Fertility in Europe: Narratives of the Future," Econometrics Working Papers Archive 2020_01, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Statistica, Informatica, Applicazioni "G. Parenti".
    9. Parijat Chakrabarti & Margaret Frye, 2017. "A mixed-methods framework for analyzing text data: Integrating computational techniques with qualitative methods in demography," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 37(42), pages 1351-1382.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    data collection; Zimbabwe; research methods; qualitative data; in-depth interviews; interviewers; Senegal;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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