Reflexive and Critical Reflection on Migration (Research Paper Sample)

A REFLEXIVITY AND CRITICAL REFLECTION ON MIGRATION
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A Reflexivity and Critical Reflection on Migration
Introduction
Wars and life experiences such as earthquakes are some of the most painful experiences in life that may affect an individual. Individuals are adapted to cope with situations surrounding them. In most cases, human beings and animals become adapted to the environment of their surroundings. People establish emotional ties with those around them as well as the things they encounter on a daily basis. Once certain life-changing experiences have occurred people are obliged to cope with the existing situation or die. An example of a situation that affects many and they are forced to migrate is a war where as an example of a constantly warring country is Iraq. In this paper, the author interviewed a young man living in the neighbourhood, Allan, on his life and experience during the war at his home country Iraq, and on his view on the migration. A connection has been created and for that reason the author chose him as an informant for the current paper. There is a lot to learn from him basing on the fact of same age and different political, social, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
The main aim of carrying out this research is to establish the various effects of certain activities in life, such as major wars and political situations. Having come from a warring country into a peaceful one, Britain, it would be important to establish the notable differences he has gathered from the shift. The aim is to establish whether social characteristics play a part in the lives and whether it is easy to cope in an environment previously not adapted. From the interaction, it will be a great chance to identify the true picture of Iraq, this time basing it on the facts presented by an experienced informant rather than from hearsay. The research is aimed at being a reflection of his life through growing up, his school life up to the part where he migrated from Iraq. Critical analysis of what wars and other similar life changing experiences do to people’s lives, social, financially and politically will be established.
Methodology
Research Approach
For this research, a qualitative approach in gathering of information has been majorly used as well as a literature review in gathering the information on the effects of wars and migration on people. Literature review only comes as a secondary source of data. Qualitative analysis and presentation of data though time consuming and involving has been advantageous in gathering first-hand information. An interview and direct observation are the two major strategies that have been used in the collection of data for this research. A notable advantage of the methods used for data collection in this case is that the information has not been constrained by set categories for analysis (Patton 2002. p 2). A naturalistic enquiry has been carried out based on the qualitative research method. The method is relevant in this research as it is possible to establish a relationship between what Allan thinks and the situation he went through.
Research Method
The main method of research is an interview with predetermined questions. These questions are not set out in any set chronology. Allan can choose to answer them in whatever order he wishes. This method is advantageous as it is not restrictive to the respondent. It provides an open-ended chance to respond to the questions in any way the respondent will find it fit. The research will produce a wealth of important aspects of data that may not have been achievable with a restrictive mode of research methodology (Patton 2002. p4). This method will provide a good avenue for Allan to present his ideas and experiences without any limitations, giving his opinion and justification on issues. A problem that may arise in the interview is the fear of a face- to- face interaction as well as the opportunity for leading questions and excessive probing.
Data Collection
In collecting data, a voice recorder was used to ensure the verbal expressions that Allan made during the interview are captured. For the non-verbal expressions, the author had to rely on the memory. The session lasted two hours at a private hotel room near both of our homes. This was to create a neutral ground for Allan to feel at ease when answering the questions. A voice recorder is more reliable than a video recorder during interviews as the recording takes a lot of effort, and it would be hard to coordinate asking questions and capturing video footage.
Data Analysis
The researcher used thematic analysis for this project. He transcribed the information himself to ensure that all the words said by Allan during the interview were captured. The use of an audio recorder to capture the interview helped to rewind on any part when transcribing. The information can easily be accessed on the interview without having to go back to the recording. Thematic analysis is an efficient method for analyzing, identifying and reporting themes within the presented data (Braun and Clarke 2006. p12). The advantage of using this method is that it captures important aspects of the data in relation to the necessary research. It also establishes a data pattern from the result. According to Braun and Clarke, the phases of conducting the analysis are:
* Familiarizing oneself with the data
* Creating initial codes
* Looking for relevant themes
* Reviewing the established themes
* Naming and defining the themes
* Computing the final report
According to Aronson (Aronson 1994 .p20), the researcher should establish a pattern that can easily be referred to from the original recording. Hesitations made by the interviewee should be left out of the data analysis and only important should be identified. For the basis of genuineness of the interview, the transcription was read to Allan and the corrections of the parts where he suggested were made.
Ethics
Anonymity and confidentiality are important aspects of a research. To ensure that the rules of ethics were followed, the British Sociological Association guidelines relating to participants in research were integrated. Before conducting the interview, Allan was explained all the requirements of the research paper, his role as the informant, the role of the researcher and the confidentiality clause in the research guidelines. At no point was Allan coerced to give the information. His real name would remain confidential as well as any detail he did not wish to reveal to the public. All questions he did not wish to answer were skipped. He understood the importance of the audio recorder and agreed to its use during the interview. An audio recording would help conceal Allan’s identity since it did not capture his physical attributes. After all stages of the interview were explained to him and he consented to participating in the interview, he signed an agreement form which is annexed to this research.
Discussion
Analysis
Migration from one culture or nation to another affects individuals differently. In cases where the migration has been out of necessity and not at free will, an individual may suffer distress due to the sudden change. Upon settling down in the new location, the individual’s cultural identity is bound to change, and they may not be the person they were initially. The individual may either settle down by biculturalism or assimilation (Dinesh 2003. p3). Migration is a constituent part of a compound position of cultural, political, economic and ethnic transformations. Individuals are not only affected positively and economically but also negatively (Hein de Haas 2006. p.14).
The sending and receiving countries have growth implications. Upon migration, the individuals carry with them their diverse culture differences as well as their ideologies. The receiving country may largely benefit from this economically especially if the immigrants are well endowed with the commercial knowledge and benefits. To the immigrants, they may access better jobs and living conditions than they had in their native countries (Sanket and Dilip 2011. p24). The economic gains that come along with migration come at a social cost for the migrating individuals. They are faced with the challenge of fitting into a country they are not familiar with.
In the case of Allan, he described the migration as a step forward for his education and development but a step backwards in relation to his social life. He described the forced migration from his motherland as a deprival of his birth-right to inherit his father’s land. Moreover, he spoke with bitterness as he described the war and the rough treatment by the soldiers. It was possible to see tears welling up in his eyes when asked to describe his life before the war that drove him and his family out of Iraq.
From the interview, Allan described a peaceful Iraq as a land of beauty, palm trees and fresh water. From his physical expression, it brought a nostalgic feeling to describe his childhood back home. Allan came from a family of twelve, five sisters and six brothers. He was the first born son, a role that is coveted in his community. For that reason, he was charged with the responsibility of looking after his siblings. Allan’s father was a teacher at a tertiary college in Iraq while his mother was a housewife. They all practiced the Islam according to Prophet Mohammed’s holy teachings. At six he was enrolled for Madrassa classes like other children of his age. There, they were taught that there were only two kinds of people, good and bad. According to his teacher, the bad people were not born bad but they had chosen to conform to unrighteous ways.
Allan talked o...