Research and Evidence

Resettled refugees learning English during a cultural orientation class. IRC/EHockstein

Research and Evidence

CORE is committed to effective Cultural Orientation programming that is grounded in research and evidence-based approaches and that applies effective practices. This page provides details on what this means and links to resources that support these outcomes.

Current Research and Evidence for Cultural Orientation

Based on recent literature mapping, which considered 30 articles, guides, framework documents, and studies from 2010 to 2021, Cultural Orientation programming should:

1.  Be iterative in nature, with repetition across resettlement journey and a focus on skills, knowledge, and attitudes.

2. Delivered as a part of bundled services instead of a stand-alone form of programming.

3. Leverage social capital (i.e. community members and volunteers) to disseminate cultural orientation messaging and encourage better community integration.

4. Utilize digital learning platforms to disseminate cultural orientation messaging and give participants control of their learning process, including when and how they engage with the materials provided.

5. Recognize the diversity of refugee populations. Providing programming that uses a demographic-specific approach, allowing for better engagement, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

1. To practice iterative approaches and deliver Cultural Orientation as a part of bundled services:

2. To leverage social capital and encourage better community integration:

3. To utilize digital learning platforms:

4. To recognize diversity of refugee populations:

Taking an evidence-based approach involves using the best available practices, including well-researched evidence and interventions to design and deliver Cultural Orientation programming. Using an evidence-based approach signals a commitment to meet the unique needs of those receiving Cultural Orientation. In taking an evidence-based approach Cultural Orientation providers can optimize outcomes related to refugees obtaining the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to successfully integrate into the United States.

The term “effective practice” is the term used to describe best, promising, or innovative (or emerging) practices.

A best practice is a method or technique that has been proven to be highly effective and validated through the collection of comprehensive evidence obtain through research and evaluation. While a promising practice can also be highly effective, it has not undergone the same level of research validation as a best practice. There is still a level of evidence, but it’s generally less rigorous.

    Promising Practices

    Each promising practice includes step-by-step guidance, examples from the field, and tips for success. Promising practices use research and a thorough set of interviews with field practitioners.

    Delivering Effective Remote Cultural Orientation

    Cultural Orientation is usually an in-person learning experience. However, there are occasions where in-person delivery is not possible due to distance, health, or other circumstances. This promising practice provides additional in-depth guidance and tips on how to deliver effective remote Cultural Orientation.
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    Including Guests from the Community

    This document focuses on how inviting guests from the community can make Cultural Orientation more relevant to your learners, and also increase their engagement. Guests from the community can also help reinforce key messages and may be used to address specific population needs.
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    Delivering Gender-Segregated Cultural Orientation

    This document examines the practice of conducting gender-segregated Cultural Orientation sessions. These types of sessions allow providers to address common barriers that prevent women from attending or participating in Cultural Orientation, while also enhancing learning through content customization and the creation of a positive learning environment.
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    Using Volunteers for Cultural Orientation

    This document examines tips for using volunteers as a part of Cultural Orientation delivery. Volunteers can have different roles in the implementation of Cultural Orientation, including serving as interpreters, working as trainers, assisting with childcare, providing transportation, or contributing to curriculum design.
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    Whole-Office Approach to Cultural Orientation

    It can be challenging to get your organization to modify how they deliver Cultural Orientation messages outside of traditional cultural orientation sessions. This resource includes tips on introducing a Whole-Office Approach to your organization and some suggested activities that will foster discussion on how to improve the delivery of Cultural Orientation messaging to refugees you serve.
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    How to Guides

    Each how-to guide provides key principles for implementation, resources, and examples from the field. How to guides use research and when available, interviews with field practitioners.

    Deliver Remote Cultural Orientation

    Ideally, Cultural Orientation is meant to be delivered in-person and in a group setting. However, this may not always be possible. In order to ensure refugees still receive critical Cultural Orientation messages in these instances, CORE recommends the following remote delivery approaches and tips.
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    Create Interactive One-on-one Cultural Orientation

    This document considers what happens when group Cultural Orientation sessions are not possible and provides tips to create one-on-one sessions that are interactive, engaging, and encourage community integration and overall self-sufficiency.
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    Integrate Digital Technology in Cultural Orientation

    This document provides tips for integrating digital technology as a part of Cultural Orientation delivery such that it enhances learning, improves understanding of the resettlement experience, and promotes self-sufficiency.
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    Apply Cultural Humility in Cultural Orientation

    This page provides guidance on how to practice cultural humility, awareness, and competency and apply these concepts in Cultural Orientation and on navigating communication across cultures. 
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    Online Courses

     CORE offers free self-paced online courses and webinars that cover a range of topics that align with best practices for delivering effective Cultural Orientation.

    The Refugee Resettlement Journey

    New to refugee resettlement or need a refresher? We get down to the basics in this course to help you understand the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). After this course, you’ll be able to define key USRAP terms and explain the process refugees undergo during the resettlement journey.
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    Navigating Identity and Inclusion in Refugee Resettlement

    In this course, you will explore concepts of identity, intersectionality, and inclusivity, with a focus on their relevance to refugees’ lived experiences. Through stories and reflective exercises, you will be able to define these terms, as well as identify strategies and take action to deliver inclusive Cultural Orientation (CO) and apply these concepts to other early resettlement services.
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    Integrating Digital Technology in Cultural Orientation

    In this course, you will consider the growing role of digital technology in the refugee resettlement experience. You will also learn tips and strategies to integrate digital technology into Cultural Orientation delivery.
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    Additional Resources

    Looking for more research and evidence? Review these websites to find additional effective practices, reports, evidence studies, and policy briefs on other refugee resettlement topics.