Experimental Vignette Studies in Migration Research: Methodological Issues from Design to Implementation

Abstract

Vignette studies have been increasingly popular in an array of social sciences. The vignette technique involves hypothetical descriptions or scenarios to investigate judgments or decision-making processes in various social topics. Currently, with the increase in migration studies, the need to discuss ethical methods and techniques in the field occured, and that brings about the widespread use of the vignette technique in migration studies. Despite the considerable interest that the vignette studies have received, the articles on the vignette technique have been scant in Turkish literature. The aim of this review is to explain the steps followed by researchers in experimental vignette studies and to discuss methodological issues that researchers should consider in each step. This study consists of three parts. In the first section, the vignette technique is described, and its general characteristics are explained. In the second section, the experimental vignette studies’ steps from designing to implementation are explained and the methodological issues in each step are discussed. Lastly, considering the critiques surrounding vignette studies, we conclude with methodological recommendations for further research. This study aims to guide researchers who plan to conduct vignette studies, shedding light into important methodological issues in experimental vignette studies in migration research.