Human trafficking of internationa students has increased significantly over the past two years. To better understand this modern-day slavery what would be the most effective research approach for post -secondary institutions in the Waterloo region? Exploratory Research Descriptive Research Causal Research Explanatory Research

The most effective research approach for post-secondary institutions in the Waterloo region to understand the increase in human trafficking of international students would be **Explanatory Research**.<br /><br />Here's why:<br /><br />* **Exploratory Research:** While exploratory research is useful for initial investigations into a phenomenon, it's generally used when there's limited existing knowledge. Given the known increase in trafficking, the institutions need to move beyond simply exploring the issue.<br /><br />* **Descriptive Research:** Descriptive research aims to describe the characteristics of a population or phenomenon. While helpful for understanding the prevalence and demographics of trafficked students, it doesn't delve into the *why* behind the increase.<br /><br />* **Causal Research:** Causal research seeks to establish cause-and-effect relationships. While valuable, it might be premature to jump into causal research before fully understanding the underlying factors contributing to the problem. It would be difficult to isolate specific causes without a deeper understanding of the context.<br /><br />* **Explanatory Research:** Explanatory research aims to explain *why* a phenomenon occurs. This approach is best suited for this situation because it allows researchers to investigate the complex factors contributing to the increase in trafficking. It can explore potential reasons such as increased vulnerability of international students, changes in traffickers' tactics, or systemic issues within institutions and support systems. This understanding is crucial for developing effective interventions.<br /><br />Explanatory research would likely involve a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative methods like interviews with trafficked students and stakeholders (e.g., support staff, law enforcement) with quantitative data analysis (e.g., analyzing existing statistics on international student populations, visa applications, etc.). This would provide a comprehensive understanding of the problem and inform targeted solutions.<br />