Researching the London Quest Funding Sustainability - Literature review Example

Researching the London Quest Funding Sustainability Research Aim This paper is written with the aim of researching, reviewing, and analyzing the importance of qualitative researching method with respect to Hackney Quest funding sustainability. The organization has some challenges and it is good to find a way of establishing a solution to such challenges. A qualitative research is thus the promising method of collecting the necessary information, but before finalizing its feasibility, a research, review, and analysis of its importance has to be done. 2. Research Objective A research objective is meant to act as a directive for conducting the main research. The research objective provides a way in which the research has to be conducted since much focus is directed on achieving the set objectives (Creswell, 2003). The research objective in this case is to establish the viability of using qualitative methods in the course of researching the Hackney Quest funding sustainability. 3. Introduction Hackney Quest is an organization whose aim is to provide positive support and help to both young people and families within Hackney. The organization has been doing this since 1988 and it has achieved a lot of success out of its efforts. Over the past two decades, the organization has played a significant role in the community to which it provides help through positive projects that are long-term in aspect (Allen, 2014). The organization has benefited many people only by attending its projects that are both exciting and innovative. Most of these beneficiaries return as adults to the organization to work as volunteers mainly because of the benefits they have received from Hackney Quest (Allen, 2014, Bella, 2014). This is paper presents a report on researching, reviewing, and analyzing the importance of qualitative researching method with respect to the respect to Hackney Quest. The organization is solely a charity and it was established by the police. The main aim of the organization was to offer encouragement to young individuals whom although they were not within the criminal justice, they are known by the police as being involved in things and issues that were hardly right. The organization gets such people into doing positive activities by probably taking them outside London. Generally, it seems that Hackney Quest has a background of positive activities for the young people. This happens by taking young individuals from various backgrounds and bringing them together to generate a great team that does exciting as well as interesting activities (Bella, 2014). While this is the case, funding the organization is important because it has various projects that have to be executed and money is a key necessity here. To identify the organization and the ongoing projects, problems, and funding sustainability of the organization, a qualitative research is important in order to find solution to some of the problem faced by the organization (Cant, 1997). 4. Literature Review Looking into the research problem from the basis of other academic research and studies is a critical idea in this paper. The use of qualitative methods has been applicable for a long past. Typically, the paradigms of qualitative research and the associated methods are considered newcomers to some kinds of research scenes. This argument is compared to quantitative research methods, which were the most familiar tools mainly in explorations and other research activities that required the use of numbers and percentages (Creswell, 2003). Quantitative research methods were relatively powerful arguments for driving change, predicting events, and determining actions. According Cant (1997), the mindset of using quantitative research in such a way with regard to numbers and percentages is referred to as numbers and stamp collecting. Cant further asserts that the obsession with numbers tends to be result of inquiries of quantitative research, which can be misleading. The weakness of using quantitative research is that the full image of the research is not revealed. Such a mindset is also said to contribute to incorrect assumptions regarding the issue being studied. This argument tends to lean towards the importance of qualitative research as a better research method than quantitative research. Cant (1997) gives an example whereby medical professionals sought to initiate research to find out the cause and development of ulcers. In this case, both qualitative research and quantitative research were used. The quantitative research was found to be important in persuading the doctors that the H. Pylori was the bacteria implicated in the development of the health problem. However, qualitative research was the first kind of research to identify the importance of the bacteria. Qualitative research is thus very important in revealing the whole picture of an issue being studied. In some circumstances, the combination of the two methods can generate a much bigger and clearer picture of what is being solved (Higgs, 1997). Often, researchers have the idea that research activities produce numbers that predict actions or design actions embedded so deeply in their consciousness that they often avoid questioning the reliability of such research activities (Cant, 1997). Regarding the research conducted on hackney Quest and the London quest funding sustainability, qualitative research would the best option. The reason behind such reasoning is that such research would require an establishment of the whole picture about the problem that is faced by the organization. Qualitative research methods offer the best results when deep information is required about a phenomenon. The methods are usually appropriate for certain types of research such as the research on London quest funding sustainability. A major reason of their importance is their ability to convey richness as well as intensity of details. This aspect comes out in a way that other research methods such as quantitative research methods can hardly do. Qualitative research methods provide a way for a much more comprehensive investigation of the issue being studied. This implies that with the study on Hackney Quest Organization, the use of qualitative methods would be important in answering questions regarding certain meanings, the people influenced by or benefiting from its activities, and the reason they are affected by such activities (Bella, 2014). The methods can also provide a clue on what factors are implicated in the organization’s projects and the reaction of people towards the organization’s activities and projects (McRoy, 2014). In quantitative research methods, more recognition seems to be give to the researchers and other individuals involved in the research process, but not only to the research practices. Usually, methods of qualitative research such as interviews, narratives, and case studies can reveal more about the issue being studied than in the case of quantitative research methods such as questionnaires. According to Higgs (1997), studies that use qualitative research methods make use of smaller sample sizes as compared to those that use quantitative research methods. Higgs further points out that qualitative research methods lead to a different approach whenever it comes the utilization of the data collected. Nevertheless, computers have emerged to make it possible in handling large data volumes, but the main idea behind the use of qualitative research methods is to achieve effective interpretation of data (Wargo, 2013). While in quantitative research methods the large sampling activities that are available enable the generalization of findings from the research sample to the entire population, in qualitative research, such kind of generalization is hardly a relevant criterion. Guba (1981) asserts that qualitative research methods seek to establish the human experience regarding the problem being studied, making the study more concerned with the aspect of transferability mainly as way of making the research findings valid. A research can only be said to meet the criterion of transferability on if the findings fit contexts that are outside the study (Guba, 1981). Previous researchers thus seem to point out that, qualitative research methods provide detailed information about the problem being studied. Their conclusion is similar in the sense that the importance of qualitative research lies within its ability to provide detailed picture about the issue being studied, but the techniques used are a bit complex and demanding (Mason, 2002). 5. Research Design and Research Management This section entails the research methods used to collect data about Hackney Quest Organization, especially regarding its programs, funding, goals, objectives, and the issues facing the organization among other factors. a) Research Methods Used The study used qualitative research methods because of its applicability to the study being initiated about the organization. A major reason for selecting qualitative research methods as the preferred methods was the nature of the study and the aspect being studied. Most of the factors being studied were qualitative in aspect. The study aimed at establishing course of activities and processes evident within the organization. Questions such as why the organization initiated certain activities, the need for volunteering programs, the benefits of the organization to the society, and who mainly benefits from the projects among others could only be solved through qualitative data collection techniques such as interviews (Bella, 2014). Besides, the number of selected respondents was so small that the study could not use quantitative research methods. Only three individuals where interviewed. The three individuals were competent enough to provide adequate information that could reflect the entire organization. The director of the organization provided answers to the issues facing the entire organization while the volunteer manager at the organization provided information reflecting the volunteer programs of the organization (Allen, 2014). On the other hand, the finance manager provided information regarding the financial and fundraising activities within the organization. At some point, the three individuals had to provide some common responses in which their similar responses reflected the effectiveness of the study methods used. b) Process of Collecting Data Typically, interviews are the best techniques of collecting data and information in a qualitative research. In the study about Hackney Quest, interviews were used to collect the required data for the research. To gain a broad perspective of the organization of study, three people were interviewed. The interview was structured in such a way that the three participants were from different but related obligatory posts in the organization. One of the interviews was conducted with Bella, the volunteer’s manager at the organization. This interview was carried out on 2 May 2014 with two interviewers and a scribe (Bella, 2014). This interview sought to investigate the volunteer department as one of the most important division of the organization. The second interview was done with the director of Hackney Quest while the last interview was conducted with the finance manager who is also the organization’s fundraiser. In all interviews, the interview asked questions and expected relevant and straightforward answers from the respective interviewees. Each interview started with introduction whereby each respondent had to provide some of their basic information such as their names, job posts, and responsibilities. Every interview also ended with a conclusion and appreciation to the respondents for their time (Allen, 2014, Bella, 2014, Karen, 2014). c) Ethical Issues involved in the Research Any research has some strengths and weaknesses. Besides, ethical conduct is expected in research practices. Some ethical issues were experienced in the research about Hackney Quest. Although the respondents contacted themselves professionally, they used some unofficial words in their communication. Sometimes it was difficult to conceptualize their impression regarding particular questions. Again, their response to personal information seemed sensitive to them making it possible to get only little information in this case (Guba & Lincoln, 1985). Besides, being a police organization, it was sensitive to seek answers to some issues facing certain people within the organization. 6. Outcome of the Research and Discussion The research established a lot of information about the organization as a whole as well as information about its important two divisions that include the volunteer and financial divisions. The interview conducted with the organization’s director provided information about the nature of the organization as a charity organization and that it was formed in 1988 particularly by the police. The director provided that although the police know nothing about the young people being in trouble, they try to help them irrespective of whether they are in trouble or not (Allen, 2014). The director further pointed out that the main aim of the organization is to mix various types of young people from different background. Other information provided by the director include the organization’s activities, the fundraising strategies, government aid, future sustainability plan, organization’s impact on young people and families, and the key funders (Allen, 2014). The interview was coded and tabulated as shown in table 1 below. Table 1: Coded Transcript for the Interview with Colette Allen (Allen, 2014) Theme Number Theme Name Part 1 Colette Allen Part 2 Interviewer 1 001 Self introduction P1L3 P1L1-2 002 Establishment of the organization (time and process) P1L5-15 P1L4 003 Action of the police to solve possible issues P1L19-25 and P2L1-18 P1L17-18 004 Kinds of activities initiated within the organization P2L20-30 and P3L1-2 P2L19 005 Current fundraising strategies P3L4-19 P3L3 006 Funds from the government P3L21 P3L20 007 Effects of government’s cut on the organization P3L23-28 and P4L1-6 P3L22 008 The organization’s sustainability strategies for the future P4L8-23 P4L7 009 Working with children of ages 8 to 18 and who safeguards them P4L26-29 and P5L1-5 P4L24-25 010 The way young people have been impacted by the project P5L8-23 and P6L1 P5L6-7 011 General idea of funding the project P6L5-12 - 012 Main funders P6L14-28 and P7L1-11 P6L13 013 Conclusion of the interview P7L13 P7L12 Similarly, the volunteer’ manager provided adequate information, but with regard to the organizations volunteer section. She pointed out that the organization had 50 youth work volunteers, 10 community and friend and family support volunteers, and 20 youth volunteers. Bella also provides the organization’s reason for having volunteers as way of funding them rather than taking them as an alternative to paid employees. She also provides meaningful responses regarding volunteer skill requirements, number of stuff made redundant from cutback, number of volunteers on the management board, recruiting process, and the annual spending on volunteers by Hackney. This interview was also coded and tabulated as shown in table 2 below. Table 2: Coded Transcript for the Interview with Bella (Bella, 2014) Theme Number Theme Name Part 1 Bella Part 2 Interviewer 1 Part 3 Interviewer 2 001 Interviewee’s identity P1L5-7 P1L4 - 002 Number of volunteers P1L10-19 P1L8-9 - 003 Regular volunteers P1L10-19 P1L8-9 - 004 Irregular people P1L21-25 P1L20 - 005 Need for Volunteers P1L27-38 P1L26 - 006 Volunteers’ needed skills P1L40-42; P2L1-8 P1L39 - 007 Number of staff made redundant from the cutbacks P2L10-18 P2L9 - 008 Number of volunteers on the management board P2L20-27 P2L19 - 009 Encouraging People to Join P2L29 P2L28 - 010 Covering Volunteer expenses P2L32-42 P2L30-31 - 011 Recruiting Procedure for the Volunteers P3L2-19 P3L1 - 012 The use of the internet in the program P3L21 and P3L23-30 P3L20 and P3L22 - 014 Number of Recruits per Year P3L32-33 and P3L35-41 P3L31, P3L34, P3L42 - 015 Islington Volunteer Bureau P4L4 and P4L7-20 P4L2-3 and P4L5-6 - 016 Hackney’s annual spending on volunteer expenses P4L23-36 and P5L1-9 P4L21-22 - 017 Reason for expenditure increase P5L12-16 P5L10-11 - 018 Issues of Surplus funds P5L20-36 P5L17-19 - 019 The Project of Exclusions P6L4 P6L3 P6L1-2 020 Effect of the project on the community P6L7 - P6L5 021 Alternative activities done for the community P6L9 and P5L11-35 P6L10 P6L6 022 Who benefits from the positive active program P6L38-44 and P7L1-8 P6L36-37 - 023 Conclusion of the interview P7L10 P7L9 - Figure 1: Number of Volunteers of Various Categories in Hackney Quest Source (Bella, 2014) The fundraiser and finance manager of the organization, Karen, provided meaningful information about the fundraising strategies and financial activities of the organization. She held that, the funding strategies have changed slightly, with the focus for the next two years being to build on what the organization is doing with avoidance of new projects. The main funding strategy is to consolidate what the organization is doing and aim at bring in more funds to replace that has been lost mainly through cuts. The organization is also trying to get access to unrestricted funds that can be used without any control by the funders (Karen, 2014). Generally, the findings obtained through interviews as an aspect of qualitative research methods were detailed and signified close to adequate information about the issue studied. The argument by Guba (1981) that qualitative research methods are useful where smaller sample sizes are required is held true by these results. Only three respondents were used, but they provided enough data that can point to the activities of the entire organization. The importance of qualitative research methods was seen in the research process since various advantages were realizable. The use of open-ended questions as well as probing provided the respondents the opportunity of responding in their own words (Cant, 1997). The use of open-ended questions evoked the respondents in various ways. The use of qualitative methods allowed the researcher to have the flexibility of probing the initial responses of the respondents. The research had to listen to them carefully and engage with the respondents while holding respect to their personalities and styles. This case proves the importance of qualitative research method about Hackney Quest Organization, which has also been proven by earlier researchers. 7. Conclusion and Evaluation Hackney Quest is an organization that provides support to families and young people in the society. To achieve its potentials and success within its volunteer activities, financial strength is key aspect. The organization has tried to implement various funding strategies to achieve the basic objective of being financial capable in handling its volunteering programs (Bella, 2014). The use of qualitative research methods provides a clear picture of the organizations from its financial, volunteer programs, and overall perspectives. Such overview can help the organization generate better strategies aimed at aching funding sustainability (Karen, 2014). The organization has shown great benefit to families and young people with different backgrounds, but the main challenge is the source of adequate funds to make it realize all its objectives (Karen, 2014). The best way is looking at the nature of the organization, its current projects, available funding organization, potential funder, and its plans. The best way to gain adequate information about all these factors has been the use qualitative research, which can be concluded to be important in pushing the organization towards its goals and objectives. 8. Bibliography Allen, C., 2014. Interview with Volunteer Director at Hackney Quest [Interview] (2 May 2014). Bella, 2014. Volunteering Programs at Hackney Quest Organization [Interview] (2 May 2014). Cant, R., 1997. Why Do Qualitative Research? Qualitative Research: Discourse On Methodologies. In Higgs, J. ed. Sydney: Hampden Press.. Creswell, J. W., 2003. Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Guba, E. & Lincoln, Y., 1985. Naturalistic Inquiry. London: Sage. Higgs, J., 1997. Qualitative Research: Discourse On Methodologies. 1st ed. Sydney: Hampden Press. Karen, 2014. Funding and fundraising Programs at Hackney Quest Organization [Interview] (2 May 2014). Mason, J., 2002. Qualitative Researching. Second ed. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. McRoy, R. G., 2014. Qualitative Research. [Online] Available at: http://www2.uncp.edu/home/marson/qualitative_research.html [Accessed 18 May 2014]. Nkwi, P., Nyamongo, I. & Ryan, G., 2001. Field Research into Social Issues: Methodological Guidelines. 2001 ed. Washington, DC: UNESCO. Wargo, W. G., 2013. Qualitative Data Analysis (Coding) of Transcripts. [Online] Available at: http://www.academicinfocenter.com/qualitative-data-analysis-coding-of- transcripts.html [Accessed 12 May 2014]. Read More