A Scoping Review of Methods Employed in Studying Undocumented Youths

• In Event: Authorized and (Un)Recognized: Non-citizens and the Undocumented

Abstract

In this paper, we provide a scoping review of literature on undocumented immigrant youths, in an effort to examine the different methodological approaches employed in the field. This paper addresses several goals: first, describe the populations studied and the research areas involved; second, review the methodologies employed; third, consider the scholars involved in this research; and finally, make recommendations for future research. As far as we know no such review of the methods to conduct research with undocumented youths has been done. The last three decades have seen an increase in the number of research articles on undocumented youths. This has affected the range of fields involved (sociology, anthropology, political science, public health, education), the migrant groups, and the aspects of their lives under study (education, political participation, relationships). This vulnerable population includes children, and their irregular immigration status makes them less likely to engage with researchers. Scholars in this subfield have therefore used a vast range of methodological approaches, including common qualitative data collection methods (semi-structured interviews and ethnographic methods including participant-observation and autoethnography), secondary data analyses, but also tools made possible by technological developments, such as large-n online surveys, content analysis of websites, big data analytics drawing from social media platforms, and zoom interviews. As more researchers undertake studies of undocumented youths, having clear understandings of the promise and pitfalls of methodological approaches will inform the ethics of research. The broad scope of this review is unprecedented and elucidates connections between different contexts, research design, and data analysis.

Authors

• Fanny Lauby, Montclair State University

• Stephen P Ruszczyk, Montclair State University