Guidelines for conducting fieldwork in the case studies

Abstract

The Global-ANSWER project aims to identify and define a global social work response to the problems associated with the reception and integration of migrants. To this end, it mobilises a variety of themes from social work and academic research, each with its own case study. The different case studies, although united by the theme of migration, have different units of analysis (from local governance with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers to social work with unaccompanied minors), examine heterogeneous cases by level and type of institution (local, regional, state, public, private), deal with differen populations (from migrants in general to unaccompanied foreign minors and traffick women), have different purposes (descriptive but also, for some, comparative). Given this heterogeneity, it is not possible to develop a single research project, or even to provide specific operational guidelines. They would quickly become obstacles rather than research directions. Each unit will have to develop research plans calibrated to its own units of analysis. However, at the end of the case study it should be possible to make comparisons between the cases to contribute to the definition of the Global Response. We have taken into account that the cases need to be studied in all three dimensions of policies, programmes and services. Namely, at the macro, meso and micro levels, and for each level we have identified some points that we consider central for comparative purposes. The research projects of each unit will have to take this into account in order to enable the intended comparison in the phase after the completion of the individual case studies. The research units can also use this to develop these projects. The important thing is to provide information and data that will enable us to answer the questions posed.