Measuring transnational social fields through binational link-tracing sampling

PLoS One. 2021 Jun 14;16(6):e0253042. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253042. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

We advance bi-national link-tracing sampling design, an innovative data collection methodology for sampling from so-called "transnational social fields", i.e. transnational networks embedding migrants, returned migrants and non-migrants. This paper describes our contributions to this methodology and its empirical implementation, and evaluates the features of the resulting networks (sample), with the aim to guide future research. We performed 303 face-to-face structured interviews on sociodemographic variables, migration trajectories and personal networks of people living in a Romanian migration sending community (Dâmbovița) and in a migration receiving Spanish town (Castellón). Inter-connecting the personal networks, we built a multi-layered complex network structure embedding 4,855 nominated people, 5,477 directed ties (nominations) and 2,540 edges. Results indicate that the link-tracing nomination patterns are affected by sex and residence homophily. Our research contributes to the emerging efforts of applying social network analysis to the study of international migration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Communication*
  • Emigration and Immigration / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Social Class*
  • Social Networking*
  • Socioeconomic Factors*
  • Transients and Migrants / psychology*

Grants and funding

M.J.L and J.-L.M. received a research grant from the the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO-FEDER; CSO2015- 68687-P, Spain), and M.-G.H. received a research grant from The Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (with PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-2828). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Moreover, authors did not receive any salary or other funding from commercial companies.