Surveying Syrians in Diaspora: Methodological Aspects for Planning and Implementing Longitudinal Studies

This chapter provides insights on social surveys among refuge seeking persons carried out in Austria between 2015 and 2017. The methodological approach of the data collection, questionnaire preparation, experiences from the surveys, as well as insights from the field phases from wave 1 and 2 of the surveys are presented. Findings address several key challenges faced by surveys of the highly mobile and vulnerable group of asylum seekers and refugees, including contact and response rates, language barriers, and ethical considerations. In addition, we provide input for planning and implementing longitudinal studies to track the economic, social and cultural integration of Syrian migrants in the labor market and society of the host country. We discuss concrete solutions and recommendations for similar (inter)national, cross-cultural surveys on the Syrian population that recently arrived in Europe.