Describing the unobserved: methodological challenges in empirical studies on human trafficking

Improving methodological research on human trafficking

By: Tyldum G & Brunovskis A
Published by: Human Trafficking , 2005
Via: Eldis

In this paper the authors discuss the production of various types of data on human trafficking. The study analyses existing data and research, and suggests methods for improving enhanced data collection techniques and developing new methodologies. The authors also focus both on the development of estimates of victims of trafficking, as well as the production of data that describes the characteristics of this group. The discussion is based on a review of publications on trafficking for sexual exploitation in Europe as well as the authors’ own research, on transnational prostitution and trafficking in Oslo.

The authors conclude that, due to a lack of empirical knowledge about causes and mechanisms tied to trafficking, proxy (or process) indicators such as poverty, migration patterns, or missing persons have limited application for estimating size of the population of trafficking victims.

The authors also argue for the importance of conducting systematic research to collect accurate data on trafficked populations and call for further research asking the question is trafficking best understood as a phenomenon within the field of labour migration, international prostitution, or migration in general, or does trafficking constitute a distinct and separate phenomenon with its separate causes and mechanisms?