MIGNEX Handbook

The MIGNEX Handbook Chapter 7 outlines the methodology for a large-scale survey of 12,500 young adults (aged 18-39) across 25 research areas in ten countries. It details a three-stage probability-proportional-to-size (PPS) cluster sampling strategy using satellite imagery and random walks to ensure representativeness. The guide specifies the use of Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) via SurveyCTO software to improve data quality and efficiency. It establishes rigorous protocols for research ethics, including oral informed consent, and defines a multi-layered quality assurance framework involving enumerators, fieldwork supervisors, and data managers. The document also provides a detailed survey instrument covering themes such as migration aspirations, livelihoods, health, and governance.

• The MIGNEX survey targets a total sample of 12,500 young adults aged 18-39, with 500 respondents in each of the 25 research areas.
• The project employs a three-stage probability-proportional-to-size (PPS) cluster sampling strategy: first identifying and sampling clusters via satellite maps, then sampling households using random walks, and finally randomly sampling one respondent within each household.
• To ensure data quality and efficiency, the survey uses Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) with SurveyCTO software, which eliminates data entry errors and allows for real-time monitoring.
• The survey instrument is designed to be conversational and short, with a target duration of under one hour; pilot testing showed an average interview length of 45 minutes.
• Research ethics are managed by obtaining oral informed consent to ensure respondent anonymity and minimize potential harm, as written signatures could be offensive or risky in some contexts.
• A multi-tiered quality control system is implemented, including automated SurveyCTO warnings, supervisor spot checks on 10% of interviews, and back-checks of 10% of responses to verify factual accuracy.
• The sampling process utilizes satellite imagery to estimate population sizes, with a verification exercise conducted by supervisors to ensure the margin of error in household estimates is below 20%.
• The survey covers a wide range of themes, including migration aspirations, livelihoods, environment, governance, corruption, social protection, education, health, infrastructure, and security.
• To reduce selection bias, the project implements a strict return-visit policy, requiring enumerators to make up to two additional attempts to interview a sampled respondent before applying a replacement strategy.
• The translation process for the survey instrument requires two independent translators to produce versions that are then merged and verified by the central team at ODI.

APA

Hagen-Zanker, J., Hennessey, G., Carling, J., & Memon, R. (2020). MIGNEX Handbook. Peace Research Institute Oslo. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/72f6ac19-7b40-4e67-9669-62369f8c8870/Survey data collection.pdf?inline=true

Chicago

Hagen-Zanker, Jessica, Gemma Hennessey, Jørgen Carling, and Rashid Memon. MIGNEX Handbook. Peace Research Institute Oslo, 2020. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/72f6ac19-7b40-4e67-9669-62369f8c8870/Survey data collection.pdf?inline=true.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Hagen-Zanker |first1=Jessica |last2=Hennessey |first2=Gemma |last3=Carling |first3=Jørgen |last4=Memon |first4=Rashid |title=MIGNEX Handbook |publisher=Peace Research Institute Oslo |date=June 2020 |url=https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/72f6ac19-7b40-4e67-9669-62369f8c8870/Survey data collection.pdf?inline=true |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{hagenzanker2020mignex, author = {Hagen-Zanker, Jessica and Hennessey, Gemma and Carling, Jørgen and Memon, Rashid}, title = {{MIGNEX Handbook}}, institution = {Peace Research Institute Oslo}, year = {2020}, month = jun, url = {https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/72f6ac19-7b40-4e67-9669-62369f8c8870/Survey data collection.pdf?inline=true}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }