oa Eén familie, twee landen, twee onderzoekers

One family, two countries, two researchers. Experiences with a simultaneous matched sample methodology

A simultaneous matched sample (SMS) methodology allows two researchers in two different locations to observe the effect of human embedding in transnational social relations The exchange of field notes provided significant advantages to the research. In particular, it revealed the dynamics of social relationsBeing on two different sides of the transnational family network and the continuous exchange of field notes provided the advantage that the researchers were able to observer the simultaneity, as it allowed them to immediately follow up on events on both sides. The exchange helped the contextualising of data and of the other side, and to discuss field notes and reflect on them. Researchers working with a multi-sited research approach, like the SMS methodology, should be careful in publishing information of the other side, as this may have important consequences for the relation dynamics-mutual trust.