Research Guides: Settlement Studies: Websites

STAR Test

A good assignment starts with quality information. You can evaluate the resources you find online using the STAR test, which evaluates websites on the following:

Source

Who is the author?
Who is making the information available?
What are their credentials or qualifications?
What makes them an authority on this subject?
Is the source biased or expressing opinion or trying to sell something?
Choose sources that are credible and relatively objective.

Time

When was the information published or last updated?
Does the date of publication matter to your assignment?
- For example, if you are working on a current event, or a science or health topic, you will need something that has been published recently.
If you are working on a historical topic, currency may not be as important.

Accuracy

Is the information free of spelling, grammatical and technical errors?
Where did the information come from?
Look for information or references that can be verified.

Relevance

Is the information free of spelling, grammatical and technical errors?
Where did the information come from?
Look for information or references that can be verified.

Relevant Websites

Websites can be a valuable resource since information is often current and not out of date.
Use a critical eye when using the web for research by using the STAR Test.
Look for pages or tabs labeled Resources, Reports, Publication for information that might be particularly useful.
Below is a select listing of websites that may be useful for your studies, assignments, and research:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Federal Department that facilitates the arrival of immigrants, provides protection to refugees, and offers programming to help newcomers settle in Canada.
Canada Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
Federal law that outlines rules and regulations for the refugee and immigration process.
Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
Defines application and enforcement of the Immigration and Refugee Act.
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Canada's largest independent administrative tribunal responsible for making well-reasoned decisions on immigration and refugee matters, efficiently, fairly and in accordance with the law.
Immigration Resources - Government of Alberta
Resources for immigrants and refugees including support programs, obtaining work, and applying for temporary and permanent residency.
Statistics Canada
Subject: Immigration and ethnocultural diversity

Open Access Settlement Studies Journals

Comparative Migration Studies
Comparative Migration Studies (CMS) is an international, peer-reviewed open access journal that provides a platform for articles that focus on comparative research in migration, integration, and race and ethnic relations.

Grey Literature Sources

Grey literature is not always easy to find but the extra work you put into finding quality information will show in your completed project.

In addition to the websites listed, here are a handful of places to look for Grey Literature:

NorQuest College Library