"Are New York State’s government administrative efforts in aiding the homeless

Sample Solution

Let's break down the methodological considerations for studying the effectiveness of New York State's government and nonprofit efforts in aiding the homeless, focusing on your specific questions.

1) Specify, explain, and justify the unit of analysis.

The unit of analysis in this research study should be the specific initiative or program designed to aid individuals experiencing homelessness.

Explanation:

The research question asks about the effectiveness of efforts. To determine this, we need to examine the individual interventions or programs implemented by both government agencies and nonprofit organizations. These programs are the distinct entities whose effectiveness we will be assessing and comparing.

Justification:

• Focus on Interventions: The goal is to understand what works in aiding the homeless. Different programs employ varying strategies, target different subpopulations, and have distinct operational structures. Analyzing the program as the unit allows for a granular understanding of what contributes to success or failure.
• Comparative Analysis: To compare government and nonprofit effectiveness, we need to examine comparable units. While we could look at the overall efforts of the entire state government versus the entire nonprofit sector, this would be too broad and mask significant variations within each. Focusing on specific programs allows for a more direct and meaningful comparison (e.g., comparing a government-run transitional housing program with a nonprofit-run rapid re-housing initiative).
• Measurable Outcomes: Effectiveness is typically measured at the program level through specific outcomes (e.g., successful placement in permanent housing, length of time homeless, access to supportive services). These outcomes are directly linked to the functioning of individual initiatives.
• Actionable Insights: Analyzing programs as the unit of analysis will yield more actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners. Understanding what makes a specific government or nonprofit program effective can inform the design and implementation of future interventions.

Examples of Units of Analysis (Specific Programs):

• A specific government-funded and administered emergency shelter in New York City.
• A nonprofit organization's street outreach program in Buffalo.
• A New York State Department of Social Services-funded rental assistance program managed by a local agency.
• A faith-based nonprofit's transitional housing program for homeless veterans in Albany.
• A city-level government initiative providing wraparound services (housing, healthcare, job training) to chronically homeless individuals.

2) Explain and justify the population AND sample size most appropriate for this case study. Data gathering should continue to the point of saturation.

Full Answer Section

Given the focus on a specific state (New York) and the desire for in-depth understanding suitable for a case study approach, the population for this research would be all initiatives or programs within New York State that are explicitly designed to aid individuals experiencing homelessness, regardless of whether they are administered by government agencies or nonprofit organizations.

Justification of Population:

• Scope of the Question: The research question directly pertains to New York State's efforts. Therefore, the population must encompass all relevant initiatives within this geographic and political boundary.
• Comparative Framework: To compare government and nonprofit effectiveness within the state, we need to consider programs from both sectors within the same context.

The sample size for this case study should not be predetermined by a fixed number but rather driven by the principle of data saturation, particularly if qualitative data collection methods (like interviews and program observations) are a significant component. However, to provide a more concrete framework, a purposive and stratified sampling approach would be most appropriate.

Justification of Sampling Approach and "Saturation" Sample Size:

• Purposive Sampling: We need to intentionally select programs that represent a range of characteristics relevant to the research question. This includes:

  • Sector: Including a mix of government-administered and nonprofit-administered programs.
  • Type of Intervention: Covering various approaches to homelessness (e.g., emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, street outreach, prevention programs, supportive housing).
  • Geographic Location: Ensuring representation from different regions within New York State (e.g., urban centers like New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, and more rural areas).
  • Target Population: Including programs that focus on different subgroups of the homeless population (e.g., families, individuals, youth, veterans, individuals with mental health or substance use disorders).
  • Perceived Effectiveness (Initial Screening): Potentially including programs identified as "high-performing" and "lower-performing" based on preliminary data or expert opinions to understand the factors contributing to different levels of effectiveness.

• Stratified Sampling: Within the purposive selection, we should aim for representation across the key strata (government vs. nonprofit, type of intervention, geographic location, target population) to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the landscape.

• Data Saturation: For the qualitative aspects of the case study (understanding the processes, challenges, and successes within programs), data collection should continue until saturation is reached. This means that the collection of new data (e.g., interviews with program staff, observations of program activities) no longer yields significant new insights or themes relevant to the effectiveness of the initiatives. The point of saturation is determined by the richness and depth of the data collected, not a specific number of programs.

Estimated Sample Size (Conceptual):

While saturation is the guiding principle, a reasonable starting point for a comprehensive case study might involve in-depth analysis of 10-20 programs. This number allows for representation across key strata and provides sufficient depth for qualitative data analysis to reach saturation. However, this is an estimate, and the actual number could be higher or lower depending on the complexity of the programs and the richness of the data obtained.

Data Gathering to the Point of Saturation:

For each selected program, data gathering would likely involve a combination of methods:

• Quantitative Data: Collecting existing data on program outcomes (e.g., housing placement rates, length of time to housing, retention in housing, utilization of supportive services).
• Qualitative Data: Conducting in-depth interviews with program staff, administrators, and potentially individuals who have utilized the services to understand the processes, challenges, and perceived effectiveness of the initiatives from different perspectives.
• Document Review: Analyzing program documents, funding reports, and evaluation reports (if available).
• Observations: Observing program activities (e.g., intake processes, service delivery, staff interactions with clients) to gain firsthand understanding.

The analysis of the qualitative data will be crucial in determining when saturation has been reached. As recurring themes and patterns emerge across the program data, and new interviews or observations do not yield significantly new information, the data collection for the qualitative aspects can be concluded. The quantitative data analysis will then be conducted on the collected sample of programs to identify potential correlations and differences in effectiveness across sectors and intervention types.