Methods

A number of complementary qualitative methods will be utilised as highlighted in the previous work of the research team (Arshad et al 2008; Sanghera and Thapar-Bjorkert, 2008; Hopkins, 2007): desk-based analysis, group discussions and individual interviews. Access to participants will be gained through organisations working with the groups identified above, including:

  • education establishments
  • places of worship
  • youth groups
  • other relevant community and voluntary organisations

We will use a combination of convenience and snowball sampling (Cohen et al, 2000) through utilising our extensive contacts with existing organisations, and through using these contacts to help identify other young people aged 12-25 who may be interested in participating in the research. We will recruit young people from across Scotland, building upon the contacts, networks and experiences of the research, and are particularly sensitive about the ethical implications of working with young people (see jes form). We will recruit participants from three different geographical contexts:

  • Urban areas of minority ethnic settlement in Scotland with a rich history of ethnic diversity (e.g. neighbourhoods in Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh)
  • Urban/semi-urban areas with less history of ethnic diversity or migration (e.g. Fife, Renfrewshire and Midlothian)
  • Rural areas with more dispersed minority ethnic populations (e.g. the Highlands and Borders)

We see these contexts as flexible and not necessarily clearly identifiable and recognise that young people’s experiences of these contexts may be very diverse. However, we are keen to explore the influence of these different contexts rather than simply focusing upon urban localities as is evident in much previous research in this field.