Doha Declaration

Education for Justice

Limitations in Research on Human Trafficking

Full title in original language:

Limitations in Research on Human Trafficking

Education level:

University

University (18+ years)

Topic / subtopic:

Trafficking in persons / smuggling of migrants

Defining the concept of trafficking in persons

Target audience:

Professors, Students, Teachers / Lecturers

Type of resource:

Publication / Article

Languages:

English

Region of relevance:

Global

Access:

open access

Individual authors:

Guri Tyldum

Publication year:

2010

Published by:

International Migration

Copyright holder:

Contact name and address:

International Migration

Contact website:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14682435/2010/48/5

Key themes:

Links:

Publication

Short description:

In this article, the author points to some common pitfalls and particular challenges in research on human trafficking. The authors starts out by presenting some of the challenges in identifying observable populations and behaviours, arguing that primary data collection in the trafficking field should focus on former victims, and not current victims or persons at risk. Thereafter the author discusses some of the factors that have inhibited the development and use of explicit operational definitions of trafficking. Third, the author present some of the challenges in identification of trafficking victims, when the victims themselves do not want to identify with the trafficking label. Finally, the usefulness of different research strategies in the trafficking fields for the current knowledge‐needs is discussed.

Short description:

In this article, the author points to some common pitfalls and particular challenges in research on human trafficking. The authors starts out by presenting some of the challenges in identifying observable populations and behaviours, arguing that primary data collection in the trafficking field should focus on former victims, and not current victims or persons at risk. Thereafter the author discusses some of the factors that have inhibited the development and use of explicit operational definitions of trafficking. Third, the author present some of the challenges in identification of trafficking victims, when the victims themselves do not want to identify with the trafficking label. Finally, the usefulness of different research strategies in the trafficking fields for the current knowledge‐needs is discussed.

Doha Declaration

Education for Justice

Supported by the State of Qatar

60 years Crime Congress