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Cited by 34Migration and Exile StudiesMigration, Racism, and Human RightsMigration, Refugees, and Integration

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‘Over-researched’ and ‘Under-researched’ refugee groups: Exploring the phenomena, causes and consequences

Omata, Naohiko·2021·Journal of Human Rights Practice
DOI 10.1093/jhuman/huaa049
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Abstract

Summary: Drawing upon my fieldwork experience in East Africa, this article sheds light on emerging phenomena of ‘over-researched’ and ‘under-researched’ refugee populations. Over the past years, I have increasingly encountered ‘research fatigue’ amongst certain groups of refugees who have undergone frequent studies by numerous researchers. On the other hand, I have also noticed disappointment and frustration from groups of refugees who feel that they remain ‘under-studied’ despite their hidden challenges and vulnerabilities. While the phenomena of over- and under-research are not new, few studies are done to compare the under- and over-studied refugees and to investigate the causes and consequences of the polarisation of research interest amongst refugee populations. This article thus aims to narrow these gaps and also explores these phenomena in relation to accountability and ethics related to forced migration scholarship. I also present practical actions toward improvement of this research polarisation.

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Research works printed but not linked: 31

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Metadata

Authors
Omata, N.
Affiliations
University of Oxford (GB)
Corresponding author
Omata, Naohiko
ORCID
Omata, Naohiko
Venue
Journal of Human Rights Practice
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2020-11-01
Volume
12
Issue
3
Pages
681-695
ISSN
  • 1757-9619 (ISSN-L)
  • 1757-9627
DOI
10.1093/jhuman/huaa049
OpenAlex
W3119822832
Cited by
34
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 1
FWCI
3.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model (vor)
Locations
Journal of Human Rights Practice (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Migration and Exile Studies
  • Social Sciences › Law › Migration, Racism, and Human Rights
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Migration, Refugees, and Integration
Keywords
refugee studies, research fatigue, research ethics, research accountability, refugee vulnerability, East Africa

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: ‘Over-researched’ and ‘Under-researched’ refugee groups: Exploring the phenomena, causes and consequences. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1093/jhuman/huaa049
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Omata, N. (2021). ‘Over-researched’ and ‘Under-researched’ refugee groups: Exploring the phenomena, causes and consequences. Journal of Human Rights Practice. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhuman/huaa049