Kien S. Lee Community Science 438 N. Frederick Avenue, Suite 315 Gaithersburg, MD (301) , ext. 108 (voice)  (301) (fax) Community Science

 We asked 115 people, as part of the evaluation of The Colorado Trust’s Supporting Immigrants and Refugee Families Initiative Immigrant Integration Strategy what immigrant integration means

 Cultural and social exchange  Mutual respect and equal treatment between immigrants and receiving community members  Equal access to opportunities and resources  Sense of community  Acceptance by receiving community  Civic participation  Sense of safety and security  Ability to navigate systems

 What are the implications of their responses on immigrant integration research? Association for the Study and Development of Community

Concepts that differ across histories, contexts, and cultures  Sense of community ◦ What does “community” mean in different cultures and which “community”?  Acceptance by receiving community ◦ What does “acceptance” mean for different groups that experience different degrees of intolerance or discrimination?  Civic participation ◦ What does “civic participation” mean and how is it practiced in different cultures?  Sense of safety and security ◦ What is considered “safe and secure” for different groups that experienced different dangers in their home country?

 Immigrant, refugee  Family, family members  House, home  Volunteer, volunteerism  Education levels (e.g., pre-school, middle, high)  Race and ethnicity  Language

 Incorrect translation and interpretation  Unfair comparisons across groups  Inaccurate comparative analysis  Invalid and culturally insensitive measures  Omission of valid outcomes  Inaccurate conclusions  Ineffective interventions

 Use qualitative research methods to explore concepts first  Then use qualitative findings to shape quantitative research methods  Translate and back-translate  Use multiple translators to account for regional differences, even if same language  If comparing groups, explain impact of historical and cultural variables on group differences or similarities

 Pilot-test survey and other data collection instruments  Understand potential participants and respondents’ experiences with research in home country  Check their own assumptions and biases