Population Council Projects | Vietnam: Findings from Recent and Ongoing Youth and Family Studies

PROJECT
Vietnam: Findings from Recent and Ongoing Youth and Family Studies

2003 Youth and Family Study: Methodology
During the first round of data collection, 100 households from each of the four communes were randomly selected for household structured questionnaire interviews. The data from this sample provide a demographic and economic profile of the area. Among these 100 households, 30 households were randomly selected for additional qualitative data collection that included time-use interviews, life-history matrixes, in-depth interviews, and focus groups. These multiple sources of data allowed for cross-checking and triangulation.

Map of Vietnam showing the location of the four communes sampled for the 2003 study. Red dots indicate high-opportunity areas; yellow dots indicate low-opportunity areas. (back to main project page)

Time-use interviews were conducted for all available persons ages 5 and above in the 30 selected households within each commune. Researchers collected information about activities during the 24 hours of the previous day. The life-history matrixes were used to gather information about major events concerning education, occupation, living arrangement, marriage, health care and fertility, and migration of all persons ages 15–19 in the 100 households in each commune. The in-depth interviews were conducted with all young people ages 15–19 in the 30 selected households to gather qualitative data covering the same topics as those in the life-history matrix. Lastly, five focus groups were held: one with commune leaders, one with men and one with women ages 15–19 who were not among the 30 selected households in each sample commune, and one with adult men and one with adult women who belonged to the parental generation.

The second round of data collection consisted of a life-history matrix of one adult of the parental generation and of the same sex as the young person who participated in the life-history matrix in the first round in each of the 100 households; and in-depth interviews with one parent of the same sex as the young person who had participated in an in-depth interview in the first round.

The third round included in-depth interviews with permanent migrants and a values survey that focused on the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about education, occupation, living arrangement, marriage, health care and risk factors, and migration of young people aged 15–30 and their parents of the same sex in the 100 households in each village.

After preliminary analysis of the first round of data collection, the researchers decided on a three-round study design in order to collect additional information or clarifications. To capture differences associated with geographic mobility, additional respondents were interviewed, including permanent migrants in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City who were still considered members of the 120 households previously interviewed.

< Back to main project page