Project Proposal: Owen M. Sanderson
Date: 24 October 2013
Background:
Objective:
Central Question:
Hypothesis:
Methodology and Project Approach:
Considerations and Limitations:
Data Challenges: While the U.S. Census data is public information, it may be too broad to provide the required granularity necessary to study an individual immigrant population (Somalis), in a specific small locality (Lewiston, Maine), over a specific time period (2001 to 2012). To address this data gap, additional information could be obtained, if available, from refugee resettlement groups like Catholic Charities. Catholic Charities maintains an office in both Lewiston, and Portland, Maine, and may be able to provide data, or at the very minimum, points-of-contact in the local Somali community who would be willing to help.
Survey Challenges: In addition to traditional data availability challenges, the survey instrument could face participation problems. This might be caused by a lack of English language skills and local distrust of outsiders because of a history of antagonism between Lewiston’s Somali population and its original Franco-American population.
Comparison Challenges: Similar to the problems encountered when collecting specific data on the Somali community in Lewiston, it may be difficult to find comparison data to benchmark the Lewiston study against. While other Somali diaspora communities exist in cities throughout the United States, including a large community in Minneapolis-St. Paul, it is unclear if these communities are associated with appropriate data that could assist with the social network analysis.
Initial Sources:
Date: 24 October 2013
Background:
How did the whitest state in America turn into a destination for immigrants from war-torn Somalia? Over the last decade the small city of
Lewiston, Maine has become a mecca for thousands of Somalis from the Horn
of Africa. Between 2001 and 2012, Lewiston’s population increased from “several
Somali families” to over 6,000 immigrants. The group’s rapid expansion, its
strong internal ties, and its initial struggle to adapt to life in Maine make for an
excellent opportunity for an in-depth social network analysis.
Objective:
This project aims to determine (a) how the Somali community
developed in Lewiston, Maine and (b) how this group spans traditional
boundaries. We will use extensive social network analysis to pinpoint how
migrants connect inside and outside of their immediate communities. We also
explore (c) how similar Somali refugee resettlements have developed outside of
Lewiston and consider the strength of certain communities when compared to
others.
Central Question:
How do refugee communities develop in non-traditional
settings (in this case rural Maine) and are these communities successful at
crossing demographic or geographic boundaries? If so, why? If not, how can
boundary-spanning ties be improved?
Hypothesis:
We predict that: a Somali community formed in rural Maine after
a small group of refugees originally settled there. Eventually, the community
grew as additional migrants were drawn to the local network. Strong
relationships developed within the group. Today, the Somali community remains a
somewhat self-segregated group as demonstrated by their weak ties with the
larger community.
Methodology and Project Approach:
A marriage of official demographic data and survey response
data will help determine how the Somali diaspora community operates
in Maine. In regards to official government data, 2010 U.S. Census results can
provide initial perspectives on immigrant communities (specifically African
communities) in the United States. Associated, but more specific demographic
data collected by third parties like the Migration Policy Institute, the
International Organization for Migration, and Catholic Charities may provide
additional context to the project. This data will allow researchers drill down
into granular patterns of Somali diaspora groups.
In addition to official demographic data and patterns of
migration, this project will rely on a survey instrument to track not only how
refugee communities expand but also how they interact. The survey instrument
could be distributed to the local Somali community in Lewiston through outreach
groups like the United Somali Women of Maine or the Somali Culture &
Development Association of Maine. The survey would aim to measure at least 1 to
2 percent of the Lewiston Somali community (approximately 75-100 people),
including local commercial, religious, and cultural leadership.
The goal of this survey would be to pinpoint how the
Lewiston community developed (find initial nodes), who are social
connectors between different demographic and location lines (perform
centrality analysis to determine betweenness), and why certain groupings of migrants develop (pinpoint cliques among the larger group).
This type of in-depth analysis would help determine people in brokerage
positions, those who span communities, and those on the fringe.
In addition to relationship ties, attribute information
could be gathered through the survey instrument. This information would allow
for a deeper, more dynamic social network analysis and provide for scenario
analysis based on individual attributes.
- Length of time in the United States
- Citizenship status
- Level of English proficiency
- Educational attainment
- Age
- Gender
- Economic status
Two-mode networks could be developed around strength of ties
and specific attribute data. This attribute information, while potentially
sensitive and challenging to obtain, would certainly help paint a better
picture of how the Lewiston Somali community formed and where there are
opportunities to bridge internal and external groups in Maine (and beyond).
Considerations and Limitations:
Data Challenges: While the U.S. Census data is public information, it may be too broad to provide the required granularity necessary to study an individual immigrant population (Somalis), in a specific small locality (Lewiston, Maine), over a specific time period (2001 to 2012). To address this data gap, additional information could be obtained, if available, from refugee resettlement groups like Catholic Charities. Catholic Charities maintains an office in both Lewiston, and Portland, Maine, and may be able to provide data, or at the very minimum, points-of-contact in the local Somali community who would be willing to help.
Survey Challenges: In addition to traditional data availability challenges, the survey instrument could face participation problems. This might be caused by a lack of English language skills and local distrust of outsiders because of a history of antagonism between Lewiston’s Somali population and its original Franco-American population.
Comparison Challenges: Similar to the problems encountered when collecting specific data on the Somali community in Lewiston, it may be difficult to find comparison data to benchmark the Lewiston study against. While other Somali diaspora communities exist in cities throughout the United States, including a large community in Minneapolis-St. Paul, it is unclear if these communities are associated with appropriate data that could assist with the social network analysis.
- Catholic Charities Maine. Refugee and Immigration Services. http://www.ccmaine.org/refugee-immigration-services/about.
- Danzico, Matt. “African migrants who call America's whitest state home.” BBC, September 11, 2012. Accessed on October 22, 2013, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19548520.
- Migration Policy Institute. Maine Fact Sheet. http://www.migrationinformation.org/datahub/state.cfm?ID=ME.
- Medina, Carmen. “Immigration in the Age of #Social: The Benefits of Managing Social Media Data.” GovLoop, April 9, 2013. Accessed on October 22, 2013, http://www.govloop.com/profiles/blogs/immigration-in-the-age-of-social-the-benefits-of-managing-social.
- Nadeu, Phil. “The Somalis of Lewiston: Community Impacts of Rapid Immigrant Movement Into a Small Homogeneous Maine City.” Brown University, 2003. Accessed on October 22, 2013, http://www.brown.edu/Departments//Sociology/faculty/hsilver/immigneng/pubs/nadeau.pdf.
- U.S. Census Bureau. International Migration Main – People and Households. http://www.census.gov/population/intmigration/.
1 comment:
We've discussed sufficiently so no long comment here except to say it's a very good idea and well-thought-through. One thing missing is the nature of the network question you intend to ask, as it's nor spelled out here. This becomes even more crucial when you're dealing with cross-community hostility. I'm sure there's something in the literature about this.
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