Hard-to-Reach Populations: Applied Research Methods with Hidden, Marginal, and Excluded Populations
In-person intensive course
- 🗓️ Date: 17–21 August 2026
- 📍 Location: University of Oxford, Nuffield College
- ⏰ Class times: 9:30–13:00 and 14:00–17:30 (full-time)
Course Overview
Focusing on hard-to-reach populations, this intensive course introduces applied research methods for conducting high-quality qualitative and quantitative research with marginal, hidden, and excluded groups.
Research topics include (but are not limited to): migrants, refugees and displaced populations, children and adolescents, sex workers, homeless populations, LGBTQ+ communities, victims of violence, conflict or trafficking, people affected by HIV/AIDS, and drug users, as well as topics proposed by participants.
The course is designed to bring together academics (researchers, PhD and Master’s students) and practitioners (from NGOs, UN agencies, and government institutions), creating a unique space for experience sharing and methodological crossfertilisation.
Course Objectives
Participants will:
- Develop practical skills to design and conduct empirical research with hidden and marginal populations
- Learn strategies to address challenges such as the lack of sampling frames and difficulties in reaching target groups
- Understand concepts of impact, attribution, and contribution, and the political dimensions of research findings
- Strengthen capacity to combine qualitative and quantitative methods ethically and effectively
Key themes include:
- Estimation and sampling techniques
- Participatory research approaches
- Evidencebased policy vs policybased evidence
- Innovation, crowdsourcing, and the use of technology
- Ethical considerations when working with vulnerable populations
Course Structure
This fulltime, intensive course is organised into morning and afternoon sessions combining lectures, applied exercises, and practical case work.
Participants are encouraged to present past, ongoing, or planned research projects, which will be discussed and used throughout the course.
Provisional Programme
Day 1 – Concepts, Questions, and Action
- Defining hardtoreach populations and data collection implications
- Applied vs basic research: challenges and opportunities
- EvidenceBased Policy vs PolicyBased Evidence
- Survey design, online and mobile data collection, stakeholder analysis
Days 2-3 – Quantitative Methods
- Sampling and estimation of hidden populations
- Cluster and adaptive cluster sampling
- Capture and recapture techniques
- Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS)
- Social network analysis applied to hardtoreach populations
Day 4 – Qualitative Methods, Participation, and Ethics
- Participatory research methods
- Innovation and technology: SMS, crowdsourcing, and mapping
- Ethical challenges in research with marginal populations
- Combining qualitative and quantitative approaches
Day 5 – Applied Case Scenario
- Integrating methods through a realworld research case
Course Prerequisites
- Basic knowledge of research methods and design
- Interest in applied research with marginal or hidden populations
- Some prior research or practical experience is recommended
- Completion of an online Research Ethics course prior to the start of the programme
Tuition Fees
- UNICEF / NGO: £1,050
- Commercial: £1,200
The fee includes all essential course materials. It does not include accommodation, evening meals, or travel costs.
If you are unsure which fee applies to you, please contact Melanie Sawers: melanie.sawers@nuffield.ox.ac.uk
Instructor – Andrea Rossi
Andrea is UNICEF’s Chief of Data Collection and Global MICS Coordinator and a development economist with extensive experience in applied research methodology. He is the former Director of the Harvard Measurement and Human Rights Programme at Harvard Kennedy School and has worked as a Senior Advisor for the United Nations across multiple regions. For over 15 years, he has taught and conducted research on hidden and marginal populations, combining qualitative and quantitative methods in policy-relevant settings.
Application
Accommodation
Accommodation is available through Oxford Colleges and local hotels and hostels. Participants are responsible for arranging accommodation independently.
Due to high demand during the summer period, early booking is strongly recommended.
Suggested resources:
Please note that travel costs are not covered by the tuition fee.
For further information, please contact Melanie Sawers at melanie.sawers@nuffield.ox.ac.uk.