Open AccessCHILD MIGRATION FROM PUERTO RICO TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES: SAMPLING A DIFFICULT‐TO‐REACH POPULATION
Author(s) -
Laosa Luis M.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
ets research report series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.235
H-Index - 5
ISSN - 2330-8516
DOI - 10.1002/j.2333-8504.1998.tb01773.x
Subject(s) - population , sampling (signal processing) , distribution (mathematics) , geography , geographic mobility , demographic economics , demography , sociology , computer science , mathematics , economics , mathematical analysis , filter (signal processing) , computer vision
A study is reported, illustrating the methodological and practical challenges of sampling a difficult‐to‐reach population and of studying a population defined by criteria other than the standard demographic categories. In order to help inform the development of a sampling plan and a research design for a larger scientific investigation of preadolescents who migrate to the United States from Puerto Rico, a study of 286 public and private schools in the United States (New Jersey) was conducted, ascertaining students' migratory movements. Examined are the distribution of arrivals (i.e., transfers‐in from Puerto Rico) among districts and among schools in particular geographic areas, the stability of in‐migration patterns and numbers over time, and the post‐migration mobility. Although focused on this population, the study addresses issues likely to be encountered generally by researchers who study “nonstandard” or difficult‐to‐reach populations. Considered are both cross‐sectional and longitudinal designs.