Improving Qualitative Interviews With Newly Arrived Migrant Women

• Published in: Qualitative health research 2011-07, Vol.21 (7), p.976-986
• Main Authors: Merry, Lisa, Clausen, Christina, Gagnon, Anita J., Carnevale, Franco, Jeannotte, Julie, Saucier, Jean-Francois, Oxman-Martinez, Jacqueline
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptability; Adult; Attitudes; Canada; Care delivery; Cross cultural studies; Data Collection - methods; Emigrants and Immigrants - psychology; Female; Females; Health Research; Health technology assessment; Help Seeking Behavior; Helpseeking; Humans; Immigration; Interviewing; Interviews; Interviews as Topic - methods; Interviews as Topic - standards; Methodology (Data Collection); Migrants; Noncitizens; Participation; Postpartum period; Postpartum Period - ethnology; Postpartum Period - psychology; Qualitative Research; Transients and Migrants - psychology; Vulnerability; Women; Womens health
• ISSN: 1049-7323; 1552-7557
• DOI: 10.1177/1049732311403497

There is a paucity of literature on how to conduct research with migrants, particularly those who do not speak the host country language, those who are newly arrived, and those who have a precarious immigration status. In qualitative research, interviewing is a common method for obtaining rich data and participants’ points of view. Gathering and presenting all perspectives when interviewing vulnerable migrant women on health-seeking behaviors is challenging. In this article, we explore the process of developing and implementing a data collection plan and an interview guide for a study carried out with migrant women to explore the inhibitors/facilitators for following through on professional referrals for postbirth care. Adaptability and careful attention to multiple factors throughout the process are essential to maximizing participation and enhancing the trustworthiness of the data. Appropriate health policy and care delivery can only originate from health research with diverse migrant populations.