The use of qualitative methods in the studying of mutual adaptation of internal migrants and host population in a multicultural society

On February 14th has been held a seminar  "The use of qualitative methods in the studying of mutual adaptation of internal migrants and host population in a multicultural society". The presenter was Victoria Galyapina, candidate of science (Ph.D.), associate professor of Stavropol State University.

During the seminar there were discussed possibilities and limitations of using qualitative methods in research, and specialty of the application of these methods in multicultural societies.

Victoria Galyapina provided particular recommendations for drafting the design of qualitative research and conducting focus-groups to identify common views of Russians in understanding of everyday problems in interaction between migrants (North Caucasians) and the host population (Russians). Members of the laboratory discussed possible composition of the sample, especially its division into groups according to gender and age due to participants' belonging to different cultures.

Those present were able to try themselves as a members of focus-group by answering questions to identify key problems of interaction between migrants and the host population and underlying factors of these problems. The topic of relationships between migrants and the host population aroused great interest. Participants discussed the possibility of using results of such qualitative researches in planning and conducting quantitative researches.

Ann Lipatova