01/01/2016
So what exactly is this research study? What does it aim to do?
Islam is the fastest growing religion in Canada. While most of the growth is due to Muslim birth rates and migration, since 2001 the Muslim population in Canada has also increased due to individuals converting to Islam.
The study is being done to better understand the reasons why a growing number of Canadians are accepting Islam as a new religion and way of life.
Our study aims to understand:
1. How non-Muslims come to Islam
2. What causes them to join this religion and your lived experiences as a Muslim.
Who is conducting the study?
The research is led by Dr. Scott Flower from the University of Melbourne, Australia and has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee.
This ensures that our research complies with the highest ethical research standards including Canada’s TCPS2 Ethics Framework (see below).
Why are we doing this study?
Muslim converts in Canada are largely misunderstood. This lack of understanding is because there is almost no scholarly empirical research on Muslim converts in Canada. Without asking converts how and why they came to Islam, broader society will continue to have a poor and even incorrect understanding of this growing and important segment of society.
Through our study, we hope to uncover the truth behind the rise in conversions to Islam and educate the public so converts are better, and more importantly, accurately understood by wider society.
When we understand each other, we foster a sense of belonging and inclusion, and facilitate trust. Now more than ever, in our society, we need to get to know one another so we can better understand each another. InshaAllah we hope our study can facilitate this greater understanding.
What happens after I contact you?
Once you get in touch with us via email, facebook or twitter; we will set a time with you to conduct an interview about your conversion experience.
You will be asked questions about your experience of becoming a Muslim and what it is like being a Muslim convert in Canada.
During the interview you can decline to answer any question and can also stop the interview at any time. The entire interview will take about 60-90 minutes. However we are flexible and can conduct the interview in shorter sessions if needed. We appreciate your time and can accommodate to suit your needs.
Where will the interview be conducted?
Interviews can be held either in-person (in a public place such as a library) or via Skype/phone.
Our SKYPE ID: canadianconvertstudy (all one word)
I feel hesitant about participating due to privacy concerns and I do not want to be named in any publications.
No problem! We ensure that confidentiality will be maintained and protected to the fullest possible extent. To ensure this, we will not collect information such as your name, the Mosque you attend, or where you live.
Our study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through the University of Melbourne Research Ethics Committee, requiring us to abide by their ethical standards.
In addition, all of our researchers have completed a TCPS2 Certificate which is standard in Canada for those working with human subjects.
If you choose to participate, we will gladly explain the full range of ways your confidentiality is protected during the consent process prior to the interview.
You may also request a copy of any publications resulting from the research at any time!
CONTACT:
[email protected]
