QUICK GUIDE 4 - KEY QUALITATIVE METHODS Quick Guide 4 KEY QUALITATIVE METHODS FOR COLLECTING STATELESSNESS DATA There are many types of qualitative data collection methods. The most common methods for collecting qualitative data that are relevant to statelessness are key informant interviews, focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews or a combination of qualitative data collection methods. These methods, along with sample questions, are outlined below. 32 U N H C R > R E S E A R C H I N G S TAT E L E S S N E S S - Q U I C K G U I D E S Key informant interviews Key informants are an important starting point for finding out more about a situation of statelessness or about the research subjects. Key informants, typically, are those who can provide an accurate and important perspective on the setting and context. They can include persons such as community and religious leaders, relevant government officials or NGO workers working with or living close to the affected individuals and communities. Information provided by key informants can be used to refine thematic areas and questions that are used in focus group discussions or semi-structured interviews with affected communities. Apart from providing background information, key informants may also be able to help engage affected communities to participate in the data collection activities by acting as an advocate for the project. Community leaders are a particularly valuable type of key informant, because they will often have the trust of the affected community. Consequently, they may be able to assist in explaining the potential outcomes of the data collection activity, thereby helping to manage expectations. Community leaders are often in a position to assist with finding safe and comfortable places to undertake interviews and focus-group discussions, and with reassuring and supporting community members throughout the data collection process. Statelessness is not a concept that is always well understood or one that translates easily into different country contexts or languages. It is therefore important that in all interviewing situations, careful consideration is given to the terminology used to determine whether the concept is correctly understood. U N H C R > R E S E A R C H I N G S TAT E L E S S N E S S - Q U I C K G U I D E S 33