PUERTO DE BUENAVENTURA

Transcript production

The first step in the data processing consisted of the production of transcripts of interviews and focus groups. The audio recordings were turned into transcripts of interviews and focus groups whose content related to any experience, thought, concern, possibility, challenge, or any other need expressed by the interlocutor.

Coding-scheme development

A coding scheme was developed on the basis of a sample of 25 transcripts, tested on 15 additional transcripts through independent coding by two researchers. A further 10 transcripts were coded twice independently by two researchers, which resulted in the coding scheme.

Two highly elaborate coding schemes were developed for the purpose of transcript coding: 1) for coding transcripts of interviews with representatives of local and regional self-government units, public services and civil-society organizations, and 2) for coding transcripts of interviews with persons granted international protection. The coding scheme for representatives of institutions includes 30 first- tier codes, each of them including second-tier codes, too (1–28 second-tier codes). The coding scheme for asylum beneficiaries includes 37 first- tier codes, 36 of which also include second-tier codes (3–14). Together with the coding schemes, the Instructions on Coding Transcripts of Interviews

CHALLENGES OF INTEGRATING REFUGEES INTO CROATIAN SOCIETY:

ATTITUDES OF CITIZENS AND THE READINESS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES

with Representatives of Institutions were also developed, which explain in detail how to structure a code for each transcript and which standard coding steps to apply. A similar but shorter instruction was developed for coding transcripts of interviews with persons granted international protection.

Transcript coding

The coding was performed by members of the research team and four coders, who were all instructed in detail, and who followed the above-mentioned Instructions for Coding Transcripts. The transcripts of interviews and focus groups with persons granted asylum were coded exclusively by members of the research team. With a view to harmonizing the coding criteria and coordinating the work of various coders, they were trained until they reached at least 95% conformity in the first-tier codes between different pairs of coders. Such a high conformity criterion was achieved by coders coding the same transcripts independently, and then comparing the differences, if any. The criteria were then harmonized during an argument-based discussion, and then they proceeded with further independent coding. A total of 30 transcripts were coded independently, by multiple coders, which proved to be enough to achieve the previously set conformity criterion. When doubts occurred in the continuation of the coding, the coders consulted the research leader and another member of the team, and the doubts were resolved. Each transcript was marked by a unique code which made it possible to anonymize the interlocutor’s identity. A table was prepared and filled with all the relevant data about the interviews and focus groups conducted, such as the number of the interview, name of the interviewer, name of the transcriber, name of the coder, name of the person who entered the data into the program for qualitative analysis, data on type of institution, region, locality, name of institution, address and contact details, date of interview, number of interlocutors, name and surname of interlocutor, function of interlocutor within the institution. In the case of persons granted asylum, data suitable to their roles were entered in the table. The table made it possible to monitor the work on each transcript as an element of quality assurance of the process of coding and data entry into the program for qualitative analysis.

From all the interviews and focus groups conducted, 158 transcripts were prepared for analysis. The others did not contain any useful information because, in spite of their role, the interlocutors were completely uninformed about the topic of the research. The transcripts include information received from 216 interlocutors. Of this number, 143 transcripts contain information received from 191 representatives of local and regional self-government units, state-administration offices in counties, public institutions providing specific services (such as the Croatian Employment Service, Croatian Public Health Institute, social-welfare centres, schools), and civil-society organizations. Of the total number of transcripts selected for analysis, 15 are transcripts of interviews or focus groups with persons granted asylum, which include a total of 26 interlocutors. They were subjected to the open-coding procedure.

The coded transcripts were entered into the database of the MaxQDa software package used to analyse them. The coded material was processed using the regular procedures, which include: 1) definition of units of analysis, 2) identification of the units of analysis in transcripts, 3) open coding of units of analysis according to the coding scheme, and 4) grouping of the coded units of analysis into concepts, categories and themes of equivalent meaning. The analysis made it possible to identify specific elements of the statements which referred to the needs, challenges, capabilities and expectations of representatives of the selected local communities. The four regions and the City of Zagreb were compared, as were the similarities and differences in the statements of stakeholders belonging to various sectors.

No secondary documentation relevant to the purpose of this research was available in the units of local and regional self-government.

CHALLENGES OF INTEGRATING REFUGEES INTO CROATIAN SOCIETY:

ATTITUDES OF CITIZENS AND THE READINESS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES

6.4. RESULTS OF THE