Methodological characteristics of the research

Abstract

The paper presents the methodology of the research of international student migration, i.e. of the (re)construction of their identities. The phases of the research are described, as well as methodological obstacles that we have encountered in working on this project, together with the manners in which we have overcome these obstacles. The foundation of the paper consists of an analysis of the characteristics of the utilised methods, and of the sample to which they have been applied. During the data collection phase, three research methods were implemented. The initial framework for the research, more precise definitions of the basic terms and their dimensions have been based on the results of focus-group interviews. Quantification of the results was made possible after the application of an online survey in which the basic terms, such as identity change and characteristics of international student migration, were more precisely operationalized. The final method used in the collection of the data to elucidate the aspects of international migration of students insufficiently researched through using the first two methods, was qualitative interview. With implementing qualitative interview and using foundation for the interview, the process of data collection was rounded up. During the data collection, the sample was divided into four groups of respondents, i.e. the students who had had an experience of international studying longer than a year. The first group consisted of Serbian students studying abroad, the second included Serbian students who had studied abroad but returned to Serbia or left for another country. Foreign students were also divided in two groups: those currently studying in Serbia, and those who had studied in Serbia, but returned to their country of origin after the studies.