Research Articles Focusing on Haitians: A Review of Published Quantitative and Qualitative Research Data

Now more than ever, the Haitian Studies Association must have a clear sense of the available research regarding Haitians, identify the existing gaps, and develop an innovative research agenda aimed at addressing policies in Haiti and the United States. This research note is a call to action to do just that. We are aware that there are numerous documents written by and about Haitians on multiple topics. The focus of this work is not to review all contributions on Haitians or Haitian studies but rather published articles that involve data collection using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. This in no way should imply that these are the most important types of studies, nor that the work of countless authors conducting research through other methods is not meritorious. We hope that a similar review spanning the diverse fields and areas of research that constitute Haitian studies will be conducted. This research note is the result of the work of a group of Haitian professionals representing diverse fields dedicated to research about and in service of Haitians. These researchers have concluded that a more focused research agenda is needed to advance Haitian studies to the next level. We hope that this summary will spark discussions around the following questions and thus lead to more centered and strategic research, especially studies that will inform policies in Haitian communities in the United States and Haiti. What type of research is available focusing on Haitians? What are the research methods used to collect such research on Haitians? What are the research gaps? What is the research data that we need to help inform some of the major policies and established knowledge in the areas of health, education, economics, literature, religion, history, and art/culture, to name a few?