PACES MMC Longitudinal Data 2024

Background

This dataset is one of the key components of the PACES project, which aimed to understand how people decide to migrate, stay (or return for migrants). In particular, PACES sought to understand how people perceive major changes in society, how they understand their past-present and future, and how these factors influence their aspirations to stay or migrate. This dataset provides information on how people's aspirations to stay, migrate or return may change along the migration journey.

Purpose The data capture whether and how people's decision-making at different stages of their migration journeys change. More specifically, this dataset gathers evidence on how migrants along the journey make decisions and change plans after being exposed to new experiences (positive and negative) or new information accessed during their journey. Data Collection and

Methods

The data in this dataset were collected through a survey questionnaire. Research Limitations Italy: The longitudinal sample is structurally constrained by the low consent rate at baseline: with only 177 individuals agreeing to be recontacted out of 503, the pool available for follow-up was limited from the outset, making it difficult to absorb further attrition across two rounds. The gender distribution in the longitudinal sample (approximately 67% male, 33% female) mirrors the baseline composition closely.

However, respondents who refused to provide contact details at baseline may differ systematically from those who consented, introducing a potential self-selection bias in the longitudinal sample that limits its representativeness of the broader baseline cohort. Niger: The longitudinal sample is structurally constrained by the low longitudinal survey targets (50-60) compared to the high number of respondents who consented to be recontacted following baseline interviews.

Project budget constraints prevented us from enlarging the longitudinal sample size, meaning less data was collected than was methodologically possible or ideal. Data Structure and Relationships Between Files Each row in the Excel files corresponds to a respondent, which has a match in the baseline data, which is stored separately. Value of the data for potential reuse This dataset has high value as it records people's perspectives on life at various points in time and in their migration journey.

This dataset is of great value to migration scholars studying migration decision-making. Results At the moment, these data have been used for infographic materials that are publicly available. Conclusion This dataset has high value, particularly when used in combination with the baseline data.

However, considering that journeys are unique, this data is also very sensitive as it may be possible to identify participants. Access status : Closed Access Data availability : The dataset is not accessible. The repository record provides metadata only about the dataset.