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Challenges of nursing research with immigrant and refugee populations: methodological and pragmatic considerations

Desafíos de la investigación en enfermería con poblaciones inmigrantes y refugiadas: consideraciones metodológicas y pragmáticas

ABSTRACT

The objective of the study was to identify the main challenges in conducting research with immigrants and refugees and to provide seven methodological and pragmatic strategies. The analyses presented, based on the Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality, are extracted from insights of the authors’ experiences as researchers and the literature. The main challenges are related to cultural, moral, political, and educational differences between researcher and researched; identification of the universe and sampling; access to informants through the barrier of distrust; and communication and language difficulties. Strategies to make research more successful involve: developing a thorough research protocol; creatively recruiting participants; developing strategies to facilitate communication; having a sensitive look; offering a structure of reciprocity; increasing trust, and triangulating research. The main methodological and pragmatic issues in studies with immigrants and refugees were explored, providing valuable guidance for future projects. However, in different migration situations, researchers must be aware of the possibility of other challenges arising during the investigative process.

DESCRIPTORS
Emigrants and Immigrants; Refugees; Nursing; Nursing Research; Research Promotion

Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 419 , 05403-000 São Paulo - SP/ Brasil, Tel./Fax: (55 11) 3061-7553, - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: reeusp@usp.br