About Research
The premise that objective, current and reliable information is essential to good decision making is central to the philosophy that inspired the creation of the Research Directorate of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and continues to govern its activities. The provision of Country of Origin research to all parties in the refugee protection determination process makes a valuable contribution to informed decision-making and the integrity of Canada's refugee protection system.
Research Methodology
All information used in the Research Directorate's documents is carefully selected from publicly available sources and full publication details of supporting documentation are provided. Multiple sourcing is used to ensure that the information is accurate, balanced and corroborated, and that the most comprehensive picture possible is given of conditions in the countries of origin of refugee claimants within time and resource constraints. Information is compared, contrasted and corroborated, whenever possible, to provide decision makers with a spectrum of views and opinions drawn from current, reliable sources.
Researchers assess available information based on the following criteria:
- How up-to-date is the information?
- Who is the author?
- Does the information come from an anonymous source?
- What are/is the qualifications/expertise of the author?
- What is the reputation of the publication/publisher?
- Does the author/publisher display any bias?
- What is the source of the information on which the document is based?
- Has the document been edited?
- Are there partial quotes (possibly misquotes or quotes taken out of context)?
- Is the information consistent with other reliable evidence?
- Are there other publications by same author?
- Is there any opportunity to interview the author?
- Where does the author's knowledge of the subject matter come from?
- What is the "tone" of the document? (Is it impartial?)
- To what extent is the document based on opinion?
- To what extent is the document based on observable facts?
- For what purpose was the document prepared?
- Are there any alterations apparent on the face of the document?
- Are there any spelling errors in the official document?
- How does the document compare with a known genuine document?
- Have the contents of the document been sworn to be true?