The Discipline of International Relations and Qualitative Methods: Migration Studies in Turkey

This study analyzes the use of qualitative methodology within the International Relations (IR) discipline in Turkey. It uses the studies on the Syrians in Turkey as its case. The Syrians in Turkey offer a unique situation in terms of methodology and methods, which is a rather rare situation for IR discipline, as their numbers are very high and they live all around the country. The issue is very popular and we witness an increasing number of published articles, reports, analysis and graduate thesis focusing on the Syrians in Turkey. This article analyzes the methodological preferences and choice of qualitative methods through a systematic analysis of the articles and thesis published since 2011 as well as in depth interviews with academics working on the issue. Thus, it handles 1) the recent special relationship between migration and IR discipline in Turkey 2) the determinants of choice of methods 3) the pros and cons of qualitative methodology to this relationship 4) the emerging issues in terms of research ethics.