4.4 Data and information ownership, responsibility, and control
Most immigration records are not openly available to researchers, who might be able to develop them into information and knowledge. Lack of data sharing becomes a major issue in developing good quality information and knowledge that will enable effective migration solutions. Below are some of the features of data and information according to ownership, responsibility and control. The list will guide you in examining how to use available data and information more productively and where access to data can be improved.
- Data and information availability continue to be a challenge for migration research and policymaking.
- Many migration data sources exist already, but the information is often fragmented or not easily accessible.
- There are various open data sources that can be freely used, reused and distributed by anyone, and can be accessed on equal terms by the international research community at the lowest possible cost.
- The majority of data on migration is privately owned, especially when it comes to the government and therefore difficult to access.
- Various stakeholders are encouraged to share data/information among themselves where it does not violate privacy concerns to share this publicly.
- There are regulations with regards to the extent to which government data and information on migration can be accessed and disseminated by other migration stakeholders.
- To encourage others to share their data with you, and continue doing so, you should:
- a.acknowledge them as the source of your data and information
- b.share your reports with those whose data and information you have used.
Activity 4.4 Information ownership, responsibility and control
Read this short case study about evidence and policy making around migration in Nigeria. It raises issues about who has knowledge, who needs knowledge (and in what form) and how can they best get the different stakeholders together to reflect on this and hopefully improve things. Once you’ve read it answer the three questions.
Felicity, alongside colleagues from her university, is investigating the activities of immigrants in Nigeria. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has shared some raw data on foreign arrivals and departures, in and out of Nigeria. Felicity must make a case to the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning on collecting more details from the NIS. The NIS itself needs more capacity to collect details and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning is reluctant to provide funds. Felicity need this information on immigrants categorised by activity to facilitate better planning on immigration in the future. Her colleague Isabelle decides to use an Evidence Café to enable all parties understand the use of this migration data. As a result, the Ministry of Budget and National Planning becomes convinced that it needs additional information even more than other agencies.
- a.What type of data/information do you possess as a migration stakeholder?
- b.How can an Evidence Café can be used by your institution?
- c.Which other stakeholders do you think might find the data/information you possess helpful?
Discussion
The types of data you possess are likely to be varied and you may not have even thought of them as data. In any organisation (or network of organisations) there will be different opinions and interests, so Evidence Cafés could be used in a range of scenarios and for a variety of purposes – it all depends what problem you need to address. In the fictional Nigerian case study you looked at in Activity 4.4, the problem was how to get more resources so that they could collect better data to inform more effective policy. You will undoubtedly have lots of different problems in your own work contexts which could benefit from better communication and collaboration.
4.3 Strengths and weaknesses of the different sources of migration evidence