Abstract
AbstractAfter an introduction to the life-course perspective, this fourth chapter gives an overview of the research design. It details the reasons behind the choice of the birth-cohorts under study: the “generation of new China” and the “generation of reforms” that encapsulate the profound transformations from Maoist collectivism to Deng Xiaoping’s era of economic reforms.Furthermore, the chapter reveals how the mixed methods research design was built and it gives insights into the sample composition. The qualitative strand of the research captures variations in the transition to adulthood experienced by 45 individuals born between 1978 and 1993. It unveils lived experiences, challenges, and authentic voices. The quantitative strand reveals the journey to adulthood of 615 young people born between 1980 and 1985, and of 301 people born between 1950 and 1959. The quantitative data are retrospective longitudinal data. They were collected using a life-course matrix (calendar) to provide complete information on individuals’ biographical paths and their temporality.In the initial phase of the research, qualitative and quantitative data were separately analyzed to address specific dimensions of the research question. The chapter explains that subsequent step involved triangulation, facilitating the integration of insights from both data types.
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Reference113 articles.
1. Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55, 469–480.
2. Arnett, J. J. (2004). Emerging adulthood. The winding road from the late teens through the twenties. Oxford University Press.
3. Arnett, J. J., & Tanner, J. L. (2006). Emerging adults in America: Coming of age in the 21st century. American Psychology Association.
4. Badger, S., Nelson, L. J., & Barry, C. M. N. (2006). Perceptions of the transition to adulthood among Chinese and American emerging adults. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 30, 84–93.
5. Bao, L. (包蕾萍). (2005). ‘Temporal exploration of the life-course theoretical perspective (Shengming Licheng Lilun de Shijianguan Tanxi)’. Sociological Research, 120–133.