A note to the reader

This literature review was prepared for the Metropolis Project and the Strategic Policy, Planning and Research Branch of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Metropolis is an international research project intended to stimulate multi-disciplinary research on the effects of international migration on urban centres and to foster the systematic integration of research findings into policy analysis and development. In the context of Metropolis numerous countries and international organizations are working together to improve their understanding of the challenges and opportunities of international migration.

This literature review is part of a series of analyses (listed below) and bibliographies that describe the status of Canadian research on immigration and the integration of immigrants. These analyses and bibliographies are the first of their kind. While not exhaustive, they make an important, indispensable contribution to the creation of a more complete inventory which will be updated as advances are made in Canadian research. They also flag the areas where we should invest in additional knowledge; identify experts in each discipline; and facilitate multi-disciplinary exchanges.

Issues relating to immigration and immigrant integration are often multi-faceted and for this reason, can be examined from a number of perspectives (for example, a particular area of study or public policy perspective). The literature reviews cover five main areas (demographics, sociology, economics, social psychology and urban studies). A review of ethnocultural studies produced in Quebec was also conducted, covering research on economic, legal, cultural and social aspects of integration and issues relating to immigrants' sense of belonging. An additional document reviewed studies examining the involvement of immigrants in criminal activities, providing a critical analysis of Canadian, American and Australian research in this field.

If you have questions or comments regarding this material, they can be directed by fax to the Metropolis Project at 613-957-5968.


Acknowledgments

In addition to the authors, we would like to thank all those who helped to produce this series of reports -- in particular, Pierre Anctil, Madeleine Gagné, Marie McAndrew, Michel Pagé, Victor Piché, Damaris Rose and Marc Termotte -- for their comments and suggestions on various parts of the series.


Disclaimer

These reports are being distributed as a contribution to public information and immigration research. Opinions expressed therein are the authors' and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Citizenship and Immigration Canada and of the partners in the Metropolis Project.

Also available in the Literature Review Series


Beaujot, Roderic. Metropolis Literature Review: The Demographic Perspective.

Helly, Denise. Revue des études ethniques au Québec.

Kobayashi, Audrey and Linda Peake. The Metropolis Project: Geographical Research on Immigrants in Canadian Cities.

Li, Peter. State of the Art Literature Review on Immigration: Sociological Perspectives.

Swan, Neil. Comments on the Literature in Economics in Relation to the Policy Research Topics and the Conference Themes.

Taylor, Donald M.. Diversity with Justice and Harmony: A Social Psychological Analysis.

Weinfeld, Morton. Overview of State of the Art Reviews on Immigration and Immigrant Integration from Six Disciplinary Perspectives / Survol des revues de littérature sur l'immigration et l'intégration des immigrants du point de vue de six domaines académiques.

Yeager, Matthew G. Immigrants and Criminality: A Meta Analysis.