Page 90 - IJPS-11-6

International Journal of
Population Studies A Burmese woman’s migration and exclusion

time. The focus extends beyond merely recounting events; reveal. Informal conversations during this period added
it aims to uncover how stories are constructed, presented, spontaneous reflections that offered additional insight
and imbued with meaning. into Aye’s lived experiences. Integrating interviews, focus
This study also used a constructivist approach, groups, and participant observation aligns with Riessman’s
highlighting that narratives are co-created by researchers (2008) recommendation for data triangulation, enhancing
and participants. It draws on Gadamer’s (2004) idea of the the credibility and depth of qualitative findings.
“fusion of horizons,” which underscores the importance of The two researchers contributed to the data collection
personal histories and cultural contexts in storytelling. By process in complementary ways. Researcher 1 conducted
promoting open dialog and active listening, the researchers the individual interviews and participant observation,
allowed narratives to emerge naturally, enabling a deeper spending three months volunteering at the community
exploration of participants’ experiences. As Gubrium and organization to build rapport and gather in-depth,
Holstein (1997) point out, interviews are dynamic processes contextual data. Researcher 2 led the focus group interviews
that generate meaning through interaction. This reflexive and contributed to participant recruitment and study
engagement ensures that the narratives remain true to the design. With a decades-long relationship with the NGO,
participant’s voice while offering deeper analytical insights. Researcher 2 brought extensive experience conducting
research and evaluation in this setting, ensuring ethical
2.2. Data collection continuity and cultural responsiveness throughout the
Data were collected through multiple methods to provide project.
a holistic and triangulated understanding of Aye’s
experiences. Six focus groups were conducted with other 2.3. Data analysis
Burmese refugees, comprising a total of 21 participants, to The data analysis employed a holistic-content narrative
help contextualize Aye’s story within broader cultural and approach, focusing on Aye’s complete life story to interpret
social frameworks. Participants were recruited through the meanings embedded in her lived experiences (Lieblich
the non-governmental organization (NGO) where Aye et al., 1998). This method treats the narrative as a coherent
worked, which also served as an after-school program whole, allowing the identification of interwoven themes
for Burmese refugee families whose children attended across time, rather than fragmenting her account into
its programs. As Plummer (1995) noted, narratives gain discrete categories (Elliott, 2005; Riessman, 2008). The
depth when individual stories are examined alongside the goal was to honor the emotional, symbolic, and relational
collective meanings shared within a community, such as dimensions of Aye’s experiences, particularly as they relate
linguistic barriers and gender expectations, enriching the to identity, agency, and access.
interpretation of Aye’s narrative. The analysis unfolded in several stages. First, all
Following the focus groups, three semi-structured interviews and field notes were transcribed verbatim and
interviews were conducted, designed to elicit detailed carefully reviewed multiple times by both researchers to
narratives across different stages of Aye’s life. The interviews ensure immersion in the data. Second, preliminary coding
were organized chronologically, a key component was conducted independently by the first author using
of narrative research that emphasizes temporality in an open coding strategy to identify recurring patterns,
storytelling (Elliott, 2005). The first interview focused concepts, and expressions relevant to the research
on Aye’s early life in Burma, her migration experiences questions (Saldaña, 2016). Codes included concepts such
in Malaysia, and her eventual resettlement in the United as “forced migration,” “economic responsibility,” “gendered
States. The second interview explored her adaptive expectations,” “freedom,” and “feeling like a guest.”
strategies, cultural resources, and reflections on identity. Third, these initial codes were then reviewed
The final interview addressed her sense of integration collaboratively by both researchers, who brought
and lingering feelings of exclusion, particularly her self- different positional and professional perspectives to the
identification as a “guest” despite formal citizenship. interpretation process. Through a series of reflective
Participant observation further complemented the meetings, the research team grouped codes into higher-
data collection process. Over a 3-month period, the order thematic categories, such as access and agency,
researcher volunteered at the NGO where Aye works, gendered constraints, negotiating belonging, and
enabling the researcher to witness her daily interactions transformative resilience. The team used memo-writing
and role as a community member. Observational data and thematic mapping to clarify how these themes
were systematically recorded in detailed field notes, emerged across Aye’s narrative and intersected with focus
capturing contextual nuances that interviews might not group data.

Volume 11 Issue 6 (2025) 84 https://doi.org/10.36922/IJPS025160060