Factors Influencing Rural Migration Decisions in Scotland: An Analysis of the Evidence

2 METHODOLOGY

Study Aims and Objectives

2.1 The aim of this study is to coordinate an evidence base of the factors influencing individuals' rural migration decisions in Scotland, and ascertain its implications for policy development and delivery. This study focused on literature concerning Scotland specifically, as this was believed to be of highest relevance to Scottish policy making, as well as being useful for identifying any rural migration issues unique to Scotland (eg: the Scottish Islands). This approach was also important given the study's short timescale.

2.2 This evidence base was examined with a focus on age and life-stage ¹⁰ related factors that contribute to rural migration decisions, and the implications these have for policy. The specific objectives were to:

• Identify the 'push' factors that encourage people in different age and life-stage groups to leave rural areas, as well as the 'pull' factors that attract others into them.
• Identify the 'return' factors that encourage people in different age and life-stage groups to move back into rural areas, as well as the 'stay' factors that prevent others from leaving.
• Highlight the implications for rural migration policy in Scotland, including any examples of best practice.
• Highlight any gaps in the evidence base on rural migration in Scotland, which would benefit from future research.

Methodology

2.3 A literature review was selected as the most appropriate method to meet the broad aims and objectives of this project. This involved a transparent approach, whereby the search terms were made explicit and all the references gathered were listed. This helped minimise bias and allows for the reproduction of such a review in the future. Annex B includes a list of the search terms, which were all agreed with policy colleagues at the project's inception.

2.4 Searching for suitable literature took place in two phases. An initial scoping study used all the search terms listed in Annex B, whilst the second stage involved narrowing down the search so that the review focused on the age and life stage-related factors reported to influence rural migration decisions. A list of all the articles identified in the initial scoping study is available upon request. Annex A includes the list of the articles selected for use in this review.

2.5 The literature reviewed for this study has generally been restricted to research articles published in journals after 1999, so that the findings and suggestions are as reliable and relevant to the current policy context as possible. However, as the initial search was undertaken on all journal articles published since 1995, some highly significant studies published between 1995 and 1998 have been included, if they were thought to add particular value (ie: where the issues are still highly relevant but where no comparable study, or none offering comparable insight, has been published since 1999).

2.6 In addition to research articles, several case study examples have been highlighted in this review, where they were felt to add value to the discussion by suggesting approaches that could address specific rural migration issues. However, it should be noted that no judgement was involved in their selection.

2.7 The literature gathered was filtered using a set of criteria for the inclusion or exclusion of data sources, and analysed using a four stage process.

2.8 More details of this study's methodology can be found in the Annex B.

Reliability

2.9 The evidence base used in this review was largely made up of small-scale, qualitative research studies, which reflect the experiences of residents living in specific areas of rural Scotland, rather than offering a statistically representative picture of rural Scotland as a whole. The available literature was therefore very much grounded in individuals' experiences, perspectives, memories and (occasionally) post-rationalisations. As a result, the factors identified are very subjective and the reader should not be surprised to notice that 'push' factors can become 'pull' factors in different situations (eg: when a different age group or geographical location is involved). This means that it has not been possible to rank migrants' motivations for moving, nor single out the key driving forces on a regional or national scale . In short, this review aims to provide insight rather than undisputable facts about the issues concerning rural migration in Scotland.

2.10 Due to the nature of its evidence base, this review has been careful to note the context of each source when it is used to make a point (for example, the study's size and geographical remit, how recently it was undertaken etc.). It is hoped that this will highlight the limits of each point's reliability and significance. Importantly, the reader should note that (unless otherwise stated) none of the sources included in this report used statistically representative sample sizes, so findings cannot be generalised beyond those participants who were involved.

2.11 One final issue concerning the reliability of this review is the fact that not all the points made in the literature were explicitly mentioned in relation to specific age groups. As a result, they sometimes had to be attributed to the most appropriate age groups, according to the respective study's sampling frame and context.

2.12 For a full note on the measures that have been taken to maximise the reliability of this research, please see Annex B.