Data collection

In addition to a literature review on migration in Switzerland (see Chapters 3, 4 and 5), primary data collection and analysis (see Chapter 6 and 7) for this study included twelve Andean migrant associations formed by Andean migrants from the four targeted countries in the Cantons of Geneva and Vaud in Switzerland.

2.1.1 Approaching the migrant associations

As mentioned above, the second stage of the research focused building an understanding of the associations, including their strategic objectives and activities through a review of online and printed background information, and establishing

125 After several attempts and failure on finding funding for the study, the researcher was employed full time on a humanitarian – development migration programme with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. She was nevertheless able to continue here exchanges with Andean communities and involvement on associational work linked to the research. Furthermore, her practical job experience deepened her analytical understanding and analysis for this study. The researcher also became a mother in the meantime, this happy event has also consequences on the time available for the research.

126 The Consulate of Ecuador did not respond or provide any information.

24 Andean migrant associations’ host and home country engagement

contact with the associations through diverse strategies such as sending letters introducing the research and the researcher, participating in association events that they organized, or organized by authorities or civic organizations. Given the researcher’s origins, her connection and affinity with the migrant associations was natural, and she became directly involved with two of the associations, giving her an insider view (participant as observer – Gold, 2003¹²⁷).

2.1.2 Primary data collection: interviews, survey and participant observation Three key methods were used for primary data collection. First, qualitative interviews were conducted with the leaders of the Andean associations. They helped address the research objective of understanding the associations’ origins and history, aims and main activities. In turn, this helped to analysis the associations’ degree of contribution to the integration process of Andean migrants in the Cantons of Geneva and Vaud and their engagements with their countries of origin.

Second, a survey was distributed among the Andean migrant associations with the objective of obtaining standardized background information from the associations, such as the associations’ structure, activities in host and home societies, capacity development and interactions. The survey also helped to cross-check and validate the information obtained from the interviews.

The third method employed was participant observation. This played a central role in the fieldwork and was facilitated by the longitudinal timeframe of the research, allowing the researcher to develop a genuine rapport with the associations, and in the instances of two associations, she was able to conduct deep observation as an embedded researcher. Participant observation allowed the researcher to understand how association leaders (and sometimes other members) interact with their members, other migrant associations, civic organizations and cantonal and communal authorities, and the challenges they face during the interaction. The researcher’s role as observer varied along a continuum from completely removed to completely engaged with the participant(s).

Interviews

This study is based on qualitative interviews with representatives from the governing board of each association. This included the associations’ Presidents or Secretary Generals and in one case the whole board.

A semi-structured questionnaire was used that allowed probing of different topics for deeper understanding of each association, its influences, and how it operates (see Annex 2). Most of the interviews were held in public places, mainly cafes, with the intention of creating an informal and relaxed environment. Some interviews took place via skype.

Interviews were conducted using a narrative technique that consisted of formulating a general question for the interviewee to describe the origins and history of the association. In this way the interviewee was able to freely tell her/his personal story about the association, in a relaxed way, without much interruption, allowing the researcher to come to an integral and evolving understanding of the factors influencing the establishment of the association. The researcher was then able to clarify and explore certain topics in more detail with the interviewees. The combination of narrative and semi-directive techniques allowed the researcher to obtain

127 Gold, “‘Jeux de Rôle Sur Le Terrain. Observation et Participation Dans l’enquête Sociologique.’”

25 Research design and fieldwork

satisfactory answers to some of the research questions (Berg, 2009¹²⁸; Bernard, 2013¹²⁹; Jovchelovitch & Bauer, 2000¹³⁰; Schensul & LeCompte, 2013¹³¹).

Survey

A survey was completed by ten¹³² of the twelve migrant associations (see Annex 3).

It consisted of twenty-seven closed-ended and open questions, organized into the following seven sections:

1. Survey introduction, including informed consent

2. The background information of the association: Name, date and location the association was established, primary objective and scope.

3. The activities carried out by the association in Switzerland and in the countries of origin.

4. The association structure and management: statutes, work plan, structure, members, volunteers and finances.

5. The capacity development needs and trainings.

6. The partnerships established with other migrant associations, civic organizations and authorities.

7. The role of the association on facilitating the integration of its members in Switzerland and the contributions and engagements in the countries of origin.

Considering the low number of cases, the exploitation of this survey remains essentially qualitative.

Participant Observation

Participant observation played a key role in the field research, providing a “richer picture” or understanding by sharing in migrant association activities (Bernard, 2013, Schensul & LeCompte, 2013). This insider/outsider perspective allowed the researcher to gain empathy and trust through personal experience and observe Andean migrant associations’ leaders in their natural settings and in interaction with others relevant actors. However, it was time consuming and it was difficult to select and prioritize participation in migrant associations’ and public authorities’ events and to make generalizations from those participant observations.

The researcher’s cultural and linguistic competencies, combined with prior knowledge and work with migrant associations, provided opportunity and entry into a variety of events organized by the migrant associations, or where representatives from those associations were present (see Annex 4).

2.1.3 Secondary data sources

Before, during and after the fieldwork, literary sources were also collected and analysed. The desk review included scholarly research and institutional literature on migration in Switzerland, especially on migrant associations and Latin American

128 Berg, Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences.

129 Bernard and Bernard, Social Research Methods.

130 Jovchelovitch and Bauer, “Narrative Interviewing.”

131 Schensul and LeCompte, Essential Ethnographic Methods.

132The Association pour l’Integration des Equatoriens de Geneve did not fill the questionnaire despite of several reminders sent and the former president of the Association Voluntariado Ecuatoriano Residente en Suiza provided an interview to the researcher and provided the contact details of the new president, but she was unreachable, so the association did not complete the survey.

26 Andean migrant associations’ host and home country engagement

migration to the country. Statistics also played an important role, providing key information to contextualize the number of migrants from the four targeted countries living in Switzerland over the last decades, as well as their socio-economic and legal characteristics. Other key materials reviewed were annual reports and related background documents, as well as association website content and social media entries (see Annex 5).