Studying turning points in labour market trajectories – benefits of a panel-based mixed methods design

Abstract

Turning points describe a fundamental change of direction in a life course trajectory. However, they are challenging to study because of their temporal extension, the complexity of processes at stake during those critical life sequences, and the fact that individuals’ interpretation as well as more objective changes in social status and position play important roles in turning points. Panel-based mixed methods designs are well suited to address those challenges. In-depth interview data enable researchers to understand individuals’ interpretations and offer detailed understanding of the processes at stake on multiple levels and domains. The panel survey data allow a glimpse into the respondents’ past, which can serve as a detailed resource for further case-based information. At the same time, the continuing survey data collection in prospective waves yields important data on respondents’ futures that can be analysed against the background of the told history. In this paper, we draw on data from a mixed methods study on the labour market trajectories of 23 descendants of immigrants in Germany, based on the Socio-Economic Panel survey (SOEP). The aim of the paper is to show the potential of combining retrospective interviews and panel data to account for the objective as well as subjective dimensions of turning points. Combining qualitative data and panel data does not aim at reaching the ‘right’ understanding of each case but at obtaining a multifaceted picture of respondents’ lives, which can help to avoid misinterpretation and under-theorisation.<br /><br />Key messages<br /><ul><li>Turning points are challenging to study with common designs. Panel-based mixed methods designs offer a solution.</li><br /><li>They enable studying sequences in detail and also offer insights into individuals’ experiences.</li><br /><li>They extend data collection into the future; a crucial prospect for analysing processes across respondents’ lives.</li></ul>

Upward Mobility in Education: The Role of Personal Networks Across the Life Course

“…Upward educational mobility is a process that spans twenty to thirty years. Hence, instead of studying specific episodes or isolated educational decisions, the life course perspective suggests to focus on processes over a long time (Elder, 1985;Mayer, 2009, p. 414) and be mindful of turning points during the life course (Legewie & Tucci, 2021). In this article, I take a sweeping view of upward mobility in education, which allows me to describe different educational trajectories of upward mobility and non-mobility, identify relevant personal network factors looking at entire educational careers instead of discrete decisions, phases, or transitions, and analyze the importance of timing of personal network factors vis-à-vis events and transitions during educational careers.…”

Selecting qualitative cases using sequence analysis: A mixed-method for in-depth understanding of life course trajectories

“…Some authors also proposed to use events(Østergaard & Thomson, 2020) or a typology of trajectories(Legewie & Tucci, 2021) to select case according to their association with a specific outcome in later life.2 Readers interested in the criticisms of the use of case selection methods in qualitative research are referred toSmall (2009). However, most of these criticisms do not apply to our context, where the mixed method is driven by quantitative analysis.…”