RESEARCH DESIGN

Full Answer Section

1. A case study design appears to be a strong choice for your research question because:

   • Focus on a Specific Context: The question is explicitly about "New York government administrative efforts" and "nonprofit organizations" within New York City. This geographically and organizationally bounded context lends itself well to a case study.
   • Complexity of the Issue: Homelessness and the efforts to address it are multifaceted, involving various actors, policies, funding mechanisms, and individual experiences. A case study allows for the exploration of these complexities in detail.  
   • Comparative Element: While focusing on New York City, the question inherently involves comparing two types of actors (government vs. nonprofits). A case study can examine and contrast their approaches and effectiveness within this shared context.
   • In-depth Understanding of "Effectiveness": Determining "effectiveness" requires a nuanced understanding of various factors, such as reach, impact on individuals' lives, cost-efficiency, and collaboration. A case study allows for the collection of rich data to explore these different dimensions of effectiveness.

2. What are the potential weaknesses of the research design? Potential weaknesses of using a case study design for this research question include:

   • Limited Generalizability: Findings from the New York City case may not be directly transferable to other cities or regions due to unique local factors (e.g., political climate, funding availability, specific characteristics of the homeless population).
   • Potential for Researcher Bias: The in-depth involvement of the researcher in a specific context can lead to unconscious biases in data collection and interpretation.
   • Difficulty in Establishing Causality: While a case study can reveal associations and patterns, it may be challenging to definitively establish causal relationships between specific interventions and their effectiveness.
   • Time and Resource Intensive: Conducting a thorough case study, involving data collection from various sources, can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
   • Defining "Effectiveness": Operationalizing and measuring "effectiveness" can be subjective and challenging, potentially leading to different interpretations within the case study.

Part 2 - (Qualitative Research Method)

1. What is the purpose of the qualitative research method? The purpose of qualitative research is to explore and understand the meanings, experiences, perspectives, and processes related to a particular phenomenon in its natural setting. It aims to provide rich, descriptive, and contextualized data, often focusing on the "why" and "how" rather than just the "what" or "how many." It seeks to develop an in-depth understanding of a topic from the participants' viewpoints.

2. When is this method used? Qualitative research methods are typically used when:

   • The research question is exploratory, seeking to understand a poorly understood phenomenon.
   • The focus is on understanding the lived experiences, perspectives, and meanings of individuals or groups.
   • The context is important for understanding the phenomenon.
   • The researcher aims to generate new theories or hypotheses.
   • The variables are difficult to quantify or measure numerically.

3. Why is this method the most appropriate choice based on the research question? A qualitative research method appears highly appropriate for your research question because:

   • Understanding "Effectiveness" in Depth: Assessing the "effectiveness" of efforts to aid the homeless goes beyond simple metrics. It requires understanding the experiences of homeless individuals, the perspectives of service providers (both government and nonprofit), and the nuances of how different approaches impact lives. Qualitative methods like interviews and focus groups can capture these rich perspectives.
   • Exploring Complex Processes: The ways in which government agencies and nonprofits operate, collaborate (or don't), and deliver services are complex processes that can be best understood through qualitative inquiry.
   • Identifying Underlying Factors: Qualitative research can uncover the underlying factors that contribute to the success or failure of different initiatives, providing a deeper understanding than quantitative data alone might offer.
   • Capturing Contextual Information: The effectiveness of interventions is heavily influenced by the specific context of New York City, including its policies, resources, and the characteristics of its homeless population. Qualitative methods are well-suited for capturing this contextual richness.

4. What are the potential weaknesses of the research method? Potential weaknesses of using a qualitative research method for this research question include:

   • Subjectivity and Potential for Bias: The interpretation of qualitative data can be influenced by the researcher's own perspectives and biases.
   • Limited Generalizability: Findings from a qualitative study in New York City may not be easily generalizable to other locations or contexts.
   • Difficulty in Establishing Reliability and Validity: Ensuring the consistency (reliability) and accuracy (validity) of qualitative findings can be challenging due to the subjective nature of the data.
   • Time-Consuming Data Collection and Analysis: Qualitative data collection (e.g., in-depth interviews) and the subsequent analysis (e.g., thematic analysis) can be very time-consuming and labor-intensive.  
   • Challenges in Comparing Across Groups: While qualitative data can provide rich descriptions of government and nonprofit efforts, directly comparing their "effectiveness" in a quantifiable way can be difficult. You might identify different dimensions of effectiveness that are not easily measured against each other.

Sample Answer

art 1 - (Case Study Research Design)

1. What is the purpose of a case study design? The primary purpose of a case study design is to gain an in-depth, detailed understanding of a specific instance, phenomenon, or context. It aims to explore the complexities and nuances within a bounded system (in this case, New York City's efforts to aid the homeless). The goal is often to provide rich descriptive data, identify patterns, generate hypotheses, or offer insights into a particular situation rather than to establish broad generalizations.

2. When is this design used? A case study design is typically used when:

   • The research question is exploratory or descriptive, seeking to understand a complex issue in its real-world context.
   • The boundaries between the phenomenon and its context are not clearly evident.
   • The researcher wants to gain a holistic and nuanced understanding of a specific situation.
   • It's feasible to focus on a single or a small number of cases to achieve depth.
   • The goal is to generate new ideas or theories based on the specific case.

3. Why is this design the most appropriate choice based on the research question?