Challenges and Barriers Facing Young Homeless People in Manchester - Essay Example

?Methods of Enquiry: Challenges /Barriers Facing Young Homeless People in Manchester Table of Contents Introduction 3 Literature Review 3 Background/Literature Review 3 Rational 6 Aims and Objectives/Questions 7 Proposed Outcomes 8 Methodology 8 Data Collection and Analysis 8 Collection of Data 11 Analysis 13 Validity and Reliability 13 Sampling 14 Sampling Technique 14 Ethical Issues 14 References 16 Introduction Homelessness is today, characterised as a major issue faced by the global society, especially the young generation people which is hampering their as appropriate physical and psychological development at large. There are numerous reasons which are responsible for homelessness amid young people. Notably, one of the foremost reasons behind the gradually increasing number of homeless young people can be identified as their broken relationship with their family members. Poverty can be identified as another factor accountable for homelessness. Additionally, health issues in relation to mental as well as physical health and misuse of substances are of accounted as another major cause leading to homelessness. These factors impose various challenges which include lack of employment opportunities (Smith, 1999). Literature Review Background/Literature Review According to the report published by Young People’s Support Foundation (2010), it has been recognised that homelessness amid young people is caused due to various factors which include unhealthy family relationship, low income level of the family or poverty and complex requirements in relation to mental health issues as well as substance misuse. The research report of Young People’s Support Foundation (2010) also reveals that the aforementioned factors have majorly affected young homeless people with concern to education as well as employment challenges. It has also been reported through the study that young homeless people are more prone towards getting involved in unsocial behaviour which if continued shall result in increasing crime rate and social unrest within a given region where the proportion of homelessness is high (Young People’s Support Foundation, 2010). The homeless young people are recognised to be under ‘Not in Education, Employment or Training’ (NEET) (Centrepoint, 2010). According to the report published by Centrepoint (2010), young homeless people majorly failed to acquire appropriate education, employment as well as training services which in turn have been hampering their growth and future career life significantly. Homeless young people face both mental as well as physical health related problems. Baskin (2007) also depicted that homeless youths are more inclined towards substance misuse as well as unsocial group engagements. Being detached from their family and also due to lack of supervisory support, homeless young people are more prone to acquire destructive or aggressive behaviour characteristics. As a matter of fact, with the increasing number of homeless young people, the socio-economic challenges of increasing unemployment, poverty as well as crime is likely to augment substantially. Thus, at a broader perspective, this particular issue indeed signifies a crucial socio-economic jeopardy (Biswas-Diener & Diener, 2010). Quilgars & et. al., (2008) stated that homeless young people face many issues in their life which restrain them from obtaining healthy growth and better career prospects. Young people under homeless situation may have to leave their education as well as job. Additionally, the homeless young people are seemed to face the problem of social isolation too which creates a mental pressure on them causing both psychological and physical ill-health. Thus, the rising numbers of homeless young people has raised issues in relation to safety as well as security for safeguarding youths from crime and violent offences. According to Quilgars & et. al., (2008), homelessness is also perceived to adversely influence the health as well as well-being of young people which may account for aggressive and opposing behaviour observed among the young generation people. Various studies emphasising on this particular aspect revealed that the major factor accountable for homelessness amid youth generations is disruptive family relationship apart from natural disasters, economic downturn, war and other risk factors (Quilgars & et. al., 2008). In comparison to various global societies, the problem of rising percentage of young homeless people has emerged as a major threat for the socio-economic stance of Manchester. In the current scenario, not only does the society has been witnessing significant rise in the rate of crime and unemployment, but also has been experiencing substantial increase in its poverty ratio, especially related to child poverty (Johnson, 2013; Qureshi, 2012). Reports depict that the child poverty scenario in the society is such, that Manchester is often acknowledged as the ‘child poverty capital’ of Britain (Manchester Evening News, 2011). According to Jacobs (2006), there are various factors which can be held accountable for the homelessness situation in Manchester. Notably, in the current scenario of Manchester, a significant lack of proper hosing polices can be observed which is likely to contribute towards the rising rate of homeless young people (Jacobs, 2006). As reported by prior studies, there can be various reasons to homelessness. These reasons can be further distinguished as personal and structural causes. Personal causes majorly involve family background, individual habits and personal experiences such as termination as well as engagement with unsocial groups among others. Similarly, structural causes involve unemployment, un-affordability, immigration, housing policies, poverty and lack of administrative assistance among others (Shelter, 2013). Rational The study in relation to the challenges or barriers faced by young homeless people is important as it will assist in acquiring adequate knowledge about the different problems persisting within the socio-economic structure of Manchester. The study of this research subject will also aid in determining the factors which are accountable for the growth of homeless situation among young people. It is expected that the research findings will assist in understanding the various factors associated with the problem of homelessness in Manchester. As described in the above section, there are various factors which can be associated with the problem of homelessness in Manchester which further essentialises the in-depth study of research subject. It is expected that the research findings will assist in obtaining in-depth knowledge about the reasons or driving forces which has been augmenting the percentage of child poverty and homelessness in Manchester. With this aim, the study will be focused towards identifying and evaluating the most possible reasons for young people being homeless. Furthermore, the study will attempt to assess the effects of one factor in comparison to other with the intention to identify the causing factor to have strongest effect on the homeless situation in Manchester. Hence, the findings expected to be obtained from the study shall not only assist in identifying the causing factors of homelessness amid the young population in Manchester on a priority basis, but shall also signify or widen beneficial scopes to control the socio-economic jeopardy in the preceding years. To be precise, an analysis of this proposed research subject in an appropriate manner will assist in determining and recommending suitable strategies or practices to be adhered in order to minimise the jeopardy of homelessness among young people in Manchester. Notably, as the study will also analyse the current housing, employment, immigration as well as other social policies linked with the causing factors of homelessness, it is expected that the findings derived from the proposed research will help in identifying the issues currently persisting in the socio-economic policies of UK, in relevance to Manchester. These findings will further assist in rationalising the changes required in order to enhance the policy functions for the betterment of the situation. Aims and Objectives/Questions The aims/objectives of the proposed research have been affirmed as follows. To determine the causes which are accountable for homeless situations among young people in Manchester To comparatively assess the effects led by the causing factors in deepening the problem of homelessness in Manchester To develop suggestive measures which can prove beneficial in reducing the rate of homelessness in Manchester over the preceding years Accomplishing the above mentioned research objectives, the research question to be addressed in the proposed study can be framed as follows. “What are the various contributing factors to the challenges faced by young homeless people in Manchester and how can those be controlled?” Proposed Outcomes The proposed research is intended to be conducted with the purpose of ascertaining the various causing factors which tend to contribute towards the challenges faced by young homeless people in Manchester. In this regard, this proposed research study will offer relevant information in relation to factors or causes which are accountable for homeless situations amid young people. The proposed study will also provide detailed explanations for the challenges faced by young homeless people and how these challenges can be mitigated to enhance the socio-economic situation in Manchester. Moreover, in its planned course, the proposed study will provide information about the various programs and plans which are formulated as well as implemented by private and public organisations offering homeless services, thus assessing the relevance of current practices as well as policies to control the identified issue of homeless young people. Methodology Data Collection and Analysis There are basically two types of research approaches followed in a particular study, i.e. qualitative and quantitative methods. In this proposed research study, a qualitative approach will be adopted in order to accomplish the research objectives and obtain adequate explanation to the framed research question. Additionally, in accordance with the qualitative method, as the study will be aimed at identifying and assessing the causing factors of homelessness, a causal research approach will be considered in this study. The main objective of qualitative research approach is to understand the experiences as well as the viewpoints of individuals or participants in order to explore the objectives as well as reality of a research subject. Qualitative research approach assists in acquiring appropriate information in relation to the research subject through the assistance of interviews, questionnaire survey, focus group and case studies among others (Harwell, 2013). On the other hand, a quantitative research approach is a systematic procedure of ascertaining the findings of a research study in numerical terms. This approach is utilised with the objective of studying a research subject from the viewpoint of the subject and not from the perspective of a researcher. A quantitative research approach is mainly based on the principle of test as well as examination in order to identify a relationship amid the variables involved in the identified research issue (Charoenruk, 1999). There are various pros and cons of using a qualitative or a quantitative research approach. Few of the major pros and cons of qualitative research approach have been thus listed as follows. Pros Cons Qualitative approach assists in obtaining an in-depth knowledge in relation to attitudes as well as emotions In this approach, higher degree of risk in terms of biases persist which limits the accuracy of findings obtained through this approach being subjected to transparent and proper planning This approach is useful in acquiring findings which are unknown and thus need further exploration In this approach, it is difficult to determine the appropriate participants with common perceptions in relation to the identified research issue Source: (Woodhouse, 2008) The pros and cons of quantitative analysis are listed below. Pros Cons Quantitative research approach assists in identifying the appropriate numeric value in order to improve the validity of a certain research study This approach is not suitable for ascertaining new information and attitudes through exploration and are therefore limited to studies, which aim at explanation This approach assists in obtaining proper and reliable outcomes of the identified research issue By examining and re-examining the already obtained broader outcomes An in-depth knowledge and understanding cannot be acquired through this approach But already postulated hypotheses can be examined Source: (Woodhouse, 2008) Taking into account, the above mentioned pros and cons of both the qualitative and quantitative research approaches, a qualitative research approach will be acquired for this proposed study as it intends towards exploring the factors responsible for the rising numbers of homeless young people in Manchester. With the assistance of this approach, the outcomes of the proposed research study can be obtained in an appropriate manner. Moreover, as this proposed study is mainly based on understanding and exploring the attitudes and challenges faced by young homeless people, a quantitative research approach shall be inappropriate. Application of a quantitative approach shall further increase the complexity of this study and therefore lead to unreliable results (Hennink & et. al., 2010). Collection of Data There are two sorts of data which include primary and secondary data. In this proposed research study, a qualitative research approach will be conducted in which both primary and secondary data will be collected for accomplishing the determined objectives with ease and subsequently obtaining rational explanation for the research question (Kothari, 2004). In this proposed research study, data will be collected through two methods. For instance, the required secondary data will be gathered from various internet sources, books and journals depicting the causing factors which can be held responsible for the homeless situation in Manchester. The primary data will be collected through focus group interview method, involving a subsequent number of homeless young people in Manchester who are now in shelter by various local non-governmental as well as governmental organisations offering homeless assistance. The secondary data collected will be based on the researches and findings gathered and examined in previous research studies based on a similar research issue. Hence, the secondary information will in this case assist in developing a firm base for the research process. Subsequently, the primary data will be collected through focus group interviews. Following this method, a group of 10 homeless young individuals will be framed where the participants will be unfamiliar to each other. It is expected that the primary data will be beneficial in order to acquire substantial understanding of the perceptions, beliefs and opinions of these individuals with respect to the identified research issue (Kothari, 2004). The pros and cons of secondary data are as follows: Pros Cons The data collected through secondary method is determined to be cost as well as time efficient The data collected from secondary data may be out-of-date and irrelevant being based on various aspects including the research objectives as well as the selected approach in that study The secondary data are readily available which may assist in acquiring appropriate information in an efficient manner The data collected may not be suitable for this proposed research study being highly depended on interpretive skills of the researcher Source: (Parasuraman & et. al., 2006) Pros and cons of focus groups technique are as follows: Pros Cons Focus groups are identified to be as easy procedure of collecting data and this method of data collection is economically beneficial The participants in focus group are not executed in natural settings and researchers may have minimum control with regard to the data which are collected In this technique, data can be collected through group interaction in an effective way The analysis of the data collected may be difficult Findings can be obtained from large sample size in a rapid manner The interviewer is required to possess efficient interview knowledge and skills Source: (Stewart & et. al., 2007; National Center for Postsecondary Improvement, 2003). Analysis The data collected from the focus group interview technique as well as from the secondary sources will be analysed with the assistance of graphs, charts and tables. In this context, a descriptive form of causal explanation method will be adopted with the intention of analysing the collected data in an appropriate manner (Johnson & Christensen, 2010; Maxwell, 2004). Validity and Reliability In the proposed study, reliability of the data collected will be ascertained if the findings of the proposed research study depict identical outcomes. The reliability of this proposed study will also be identified on the basis of the dependability of the data sources used in this study. Correspondingly, validity comprises two important parts which are internal and external. Internal validity of this proposed research study will be determined through the justification of the need behind researching the identified issue by selecting suitable sample size and data collection as well as analysis procedure. On the other hand, the external validity of this proposed study will be established by the application of the obtained findings to other interest groups in order to examine its uniformity (Golafshani, 2003). Sampling Sampling Technique The participants, i.e. the young homeless people, for the focus group interview, will be acquired from few organisations offering homeless services in Manchester. Hence, a non-probability purposive sampling technique will be used in this study (Cochran, 2007). The sample size to be considered for this proposed study will comprise 50 individuals. The 50 participants will be randomly interviewed in 5 focus groups of 10 individuals in order to acquire their opinions in relation to the causing factors which contributed to their homelessness situation. The participants for this proposed study will be collected from organisations offering assistance to homeless young people in Manchester. Ethical Issues Ethical issues are subtle in qualitative research as compared to experimental research approach following a quantitative method. The ethical aspects are perceived to be attached with the characteristics or nature of qualitative research approach, especially those involving human subjects as research participants. The major ethical issue which may arise in this proposed study is confidentiality of the participants, i.e. the homeless young people in Manchester. As the study involves a sensitive issue, from a humanitarian perspective, an approval from the university as well as from the homelessness service rendering organisations will be obtained prior to the implementation of focus group interview. In this regard, the required approvals will be gathered on the basis of free consent and in an informed manner where the involved participants will be duly informed regarding the motive of the study. In this respect, the interest and confidentiality of the participants is to be maintained (Halai, 2006). References Baskin, C., 2007. Aboriginal Youth Talk about Structural Determinants as the Causes of their Homelessness. First Peoples Child & Family Review, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 31-42. Biswas-Diener, R. & Diener, E., 2006. The Subjective Well-Being of the Homeless, And Lessons for Happiness. Social Indicators Research, Vol. 76, pp. 185–205. Centrepoint, 2010. The Changing Face Of Youth Homelessness: Trends in Homeless Young People’s Support Needs. Media. [Online] Available at: http://www.centrepoint.org.uk/media/11287/the_changing_face_of_youth_homelessness_-_final_report.pdf [Accessed June 18, 2013]. Charoenruk, D., 1999. Communication Research Methodologies: Qualitative and Quantitative Methodology. Documents. [Online] Available at: http://utcc2.utcc.ac.th/localuser/amsar/PDF/Documents49/quantitative_and_qualitative_methodologies.pdf [Accessed June 18, 2013]. Cochran, W. G., 2007. Sampling Techniques, 3Rd Edition. John Wiley & Sons. Golafshani, N., 2003. Understanding Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research. The Qualitative Report. Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 597-607. Halai, A., 2006. Ethics in Qualitative Research: Issues and Challenges. The Aga Khan University. [Online] Available at: http://www.edqual.org/publications/workingpaper/edqualwp4.pdf [Accessed June 18, 2013]. Harwell, M. R., 2013. Research Design in Qualitative/Quantitative/Mixed Methods. Chapter 10. [Online] Available at: http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/41165_10.pdf [Accessed June 18, 2013]. Hennink, M. & et. al., 2010. Qualitative Research Methods. SAGE. Jacobs, E. L., 2006. How Economic, Social Service and Housing Policies Impact Homelessness. A Case Study of Manchester, New Hampshire. [Online] Available at: http://www.academia.edu/1786013/How_economic_social_service_and_housing_policies_impact_homelessness_a_case_study_of_Manchester_New_Hampshire [Accessed June 18, 2013]. Johnson, B. & Christensen, L., 2010. Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches. SAGE. Johnson, T., 2013. UK: A Quarter of Greater Manchester’s Population Living In “Extreme Poverty”. World Socialist Web Site. [Online] Available at: http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/03/05/manc-m05.html [Accessed June 18, 2013]. Kothari, C. R., 2004. Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Age International. Maxwell, J. A., 2004. Using Qualitative Methods for Causal Explanation. 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[Online] Available at: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/councils-reveal-rise-in-homelessness-in-greater-1218208 [Accessed June 18, 2013]. Shelter, 2013. What Causes Homelessness? Tackling Homelessness. [Online] Available at: http://england.shelter.org.uk/campaigns/why_we_campaign/tackling_homelessness/What_causes_homelessness [Accessed June 18, 2013]. Smith, J., 1999. Youth Homelessness in the UK. A European Perspective. Habitat Intl, Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 63-77. Stewart, D. W. & et. al., 2007. Focus Groups: Theory and Practice. SAGE. Young People’s Support Foundation, 2010. New YPSF Chief Has Plans for Expansion. YPSF News. [Online] Available at: http://www.ypsf.co.uk/news.asp?id=13 [Accessed June 18, 2013]. Read More