Methodological issues in researching migration

Population geographers should consider a mixed methods approach to the study of migration. This methodological position arises in response to the challenges of contemporary social theory It is argued that application of structuration theory favours use of a diversity of methods to investigate the recursive relationship between agency and structure. Similarly a realist stance, as advocated by Sayer (1992), leads to a mixing of methods in order to carry out the synthesising asks expected of geographers. Postmodernism, when interpreted as method, also points the researcher to consider adopting flexible research practices in order to capture the multiplicities of meaning associated with migration and place. These points are illustrated by a cast study of migration to and from Hong Kong.