Fuchs, Lukas M.; Hagos, Samuel Z.; Yanasmayan, Zeynep; Rischke, Ramona (2025): Return aspirations and the life course of refugees in Germany. Interview transcripts [dataset]. Qualiservice, PANGAEA, https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.976952 (DOI registration in progress)
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Published: 2025-04-17
Abstract:
DE: Der Datensatz besteht aus 20 biografisch-narrativen Interviews, die im Rahmen des Projekts "Rückkehrbestrebungen und der Lebensverlauf von Geflüchteten in Deutschland" vom Deutschen Zentrum für Integrations- und Migrationsforschung (DeZIM) durchgeführt wurden. Die Interviews fanden zwischen Mitte 2023 und Anfang 2024 in Berlin statt und wurden in Farsi/Dari, Tigrinya, Englisch oder Deutsch geführt, mit professionellen Übersetzungen zur Gewährleistung der Konsistenz. Die Teilnehmenden umfassen 14 afghanische und 6 eritreische Geflüchtete im Alter von 22 bis 48 Jahren, die zwischen 2013 und 2019 nach Deutschland kamen. Sieben Interviewpaare bestehen aus zwei erwachsenen Mitgliedern desselben Haushalts, wodurch familiäre Dynamiken bei Migrationsentscheidungen beleuchtet werden. Die Studie fokussiert auf persönliche Migrationserfahrungen – von den Ausgangsbedingungen in den Herkunftsländern und den Transitphasen bis hin zur Ankunft und Integration in Deutschland sowie zukünftigen Perspektiven. Alle Interviews wurden transkribiert, ins Englische übersetzt, anonymisiert und stehen für die wissenschaftliche Sekundäranalyse zur Verfügung.
EN: The dataset consists of 20 biographical-narrative interviews, conducted within the framework of the project "Return aspirations and the life course of refugees in Germany," implemented by the German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM). The interviews took place in Berlin between mid-2023 and early 2024 and were conducted in Farsi/Dari, Tigrinya, English, or German, with professional translations ensuring consistency. Participants include 14 Afghan and 6 Eritrean refugees aged 22 to 48 years who arrived in Germany between 2013 and 2019. Seven interview pairs consist of two adult members of the same household, providing insights into family dynamics in migration decision-making. The study focuses on personal migration experiences, from initial circumstances in home countries and transit phases to settlement in Germany and future aspirations. All interviews have been transcribed, translated into English, anonymized, and are available for scientific secondary analysis.
Study report:
Fuchs, Lukas M.; Hagos, Samuel Z. (2025): Study report: Return aspirations and the life course of refugees in Germany. 15 S., https://doi.org/10.26092/elib/3797
Funding:
Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ), grant/award no. Institutionelle Förderung
Coverage:
Date/Time Start: 2023-06-01T00:00:00 * Date/Time End: 2024-04-30T00:00:00
Event(s):
RETURN * Date/Time Start: 2023-06-01T00:00:00 * Date/Time End: 2024-04-30T00:00:00 * Event type: DataCollection * Instrument: Guidelines.Flex.Narrative * Methodology: DE: Biographisch-narrative Interviews;
EN: Biographical-narrative interviews * Mode of collection: FaceToFace * Sample size: 20 * Sampling procedure: Participants were recruited through a combination of direct contacts, referrals from community organizations, and snowball sampling. NGOs and other civil society organizations were also approached however, these avenues did not yield any participants. To facilitate the recruitment process, personal networks and community engagement were utilized extensively first. This approach was crucial for fostering trust, which enhanced the reliability and depth of the qualitative data collected during the interviews. Second, information about the study was disseminated at community centres and local events, and connections with colleagues who had previously worked with these communities were leveraged. Invitations were also distributed through emails shared by community organizations and self-help groups working closely with Eritrean and Afghan migrants. The recruitment strategy was designed to ensure a diverse sample, capturing a broad range of experiences and perspectives. By employing trusted communication channels and engaging directly with community members, the study created an environment in which participants felt safe and respected. * Location: Berlin, Germany * Campaign: RETURN (Return aspirations and the life course of refugees in Germany)
EN: Biographical-narrative interviews * Mode of collection: FaceToFace * Sample size: 20 * Sampling procedure: Participants were recruited through a combination of direct contacts, referrals from community organizations, and snowball sampling. NGOs and other civil society organizations were also approached however, these avenues did not yield any participants. To facilitate the recruitment process, personal networks and community engagement were utilized extensively first. This approach was crucial for fostering trust, which enhanced the reliability and depth of the qualitative data collected during the interviews. Second, information about the study was disseminated at community centres and local events, and connections with colleagues who had previously worked with these communities were leveraged. Invitations were also distributed through emails shared by community organizations and self-help groups working closely with Eritrean and Afghan migrants. The recruitment strategy was designed to ensure a diverse sample, capturing a broad range of experiences and perspectives. By employing trusted communication channels and engaging directly with community members, the study created an environment in which participants felt safe and respected. * Location: Berlin, Germany * Campaign: RETURN (Return aspirations and the life course of refugees in Germany)
Domain attribute(s):
Access type: Delivery; OnSite * Kind of data: VerbalData; VerbalData.Transcripts * Sub-universe: The study's sample consists of 20 participants, comprising 6 Eritrean and 14 Afghan migrants, all of whom arrived in Germany between 2013 and 2019. The participants were aged between 22 and 48 by the time of the interview, with 11 identifying as male and 9 as female. The sample involves seven pairs of two adult members of the same household: six were spousal pairs, and one included a single mother and her adult daughter. These household dynamics were recorded and are identifiable through Case-IDs. This family-based approach was pivotal for exploring the interconnected and hierarchical nature of migratory decision-making processes within families. Household members were interviewed separately.
Comment:
Transcription method: standard orthography; Embargo: The transcripts will be available for scientific re-use after the 30.06.2025.
Parameter(s):
| # | Name | Short Name | Unit | Principal Investigator | Method/Device | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Data ID | Data ID | ||||
| 2 | Case identification | Case ID | ||||
| 3 | File name | File name | ||||
| 4 | Data collection date | DC date | ||||
| 5 | General data format | Data format | Datenformat | |||
| 6 | Access type | Access type | ||||
| 7 | Data collection location | DC location | ||||
| 8 | Gender, social sciences | Gender | ||||
| 9 | Language | Language | Transcript Language (translated from prs or tir) | |||
| 10 | Language | Language | Native Language of the Participants | |||
| 11 | Place of birth | Birth place | ||||
| 12 | Age, social sciences | Age | a | Minimum Age | ||
| 13 | Age, social sciences | Age | a | Maximum Age | ||
| 14 | Educational attainment | Educational attainment |
License:
Qualiservice License (QS)
Size:
294 data points