Homelessness in Australia: a Review of Qualitative Methods Used - Essay Example

Homelessness in Australia: a Review of Qualitative Methods Used Introduction Qualitative research is a method or various methods of study that is used by the social sciences to answer specific questions or provide a description of an event or phenomenon without necessarily providing a guess prior to the conduct of the research. It is often argued as a better way of determining answers in order to fully understand a puzzle, a question, or any issue. This paper will try to review the qualitative methodology undertaken by eight studies with regards to Homeless Australians. It will try to identify the different ways in which qualitative researchers have approached the topic. It will explore the ontological and epistemological questions that guide the research methodologies related to Australian homelessness. This paper will discuss the meaning of homelessness, its implication and importance of understanding homelessness. It will also explore and analyse the different research methods used and how the research was approached focussing on the choice of research method and why the method was used. It will try to identify the data collection and analysis used. This paper will try to identify why and how the chosen methods were effective. It will also try to point out the themes, language and focus arguments involving homelessness sin Australia. Homelessness Homelessness, according to Robinson (2003) means lack of belonging which has grown into a significant social issue. Homelessness can be attributed to the status of an individual, from children to elderly population in a given territory or location with regards to shelter. An individual may be temporarily homeless or can be homeless for a long time. Those who are considered homeless in a temporary manner are the stowaways or teens who ran away from home due to family problems. They may be couch-surfing with friends’ homes. There are also young adults who may be temporarily homeless due to partner problems. Long term homelessness may root from poverty, unemployment, and other social problems (Wearing, 2010). In a report prepared by Homelessness Australia, it was estimated that about 105,000 people are homeless across Australia. It was suggested by the report that about 7,483 families with children are without home among them. More striking about the report was that about 12,133 are children or ages 12 or below. About 1 in 39 children under 5 years of age were provided homeless service the previous year. About 27.2 percent are Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children, but the report also cited that 2 in 3 children are turned away for homeless services (Homelessness Australia, 2010). The Council to Homeless Persons presented several reasons why individuals become homeless including youths aged 12 to 24. Reasons include the breakdown of the family or a relationship, violence at home, due to abuse or neglect, homelessness of family, poverty, unemployment, inaccessibility of affordable housing, lack of income, and possible lack of support between transition period of education to adult employment, mental health issues, drug and other addiction issues, assault, gambling and social isolation. It was however noted that domestic violence is the biggest cause of homelessness in Australia (Homelessness Australia, 2010). Qualitative Research The strength of qualitative research that relies on observation is that it can provide actual descriptions of “how people experience a given research issue,” (Family Health International 1, 2010, p 1). Observation can break myths rooted on what people claim to believe and what they actually do. Observation becomes a “powerful check against what people report about themselves during interviews and focus group,” (Family Health International, 2010, p 13). Various methods are used in Qualitative research. In a broader context, methods used in qualitative research include case study, participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus groups. Other specific methods used in qualitative research are: grounded theory practice, inductive, narratology, ethical inquiry, foundation research, historical research, phenomenology, philosophical research, and classical ethnography. Qualitative research seeks answers to questions using systematically predefined procedure set, collect evidence, produce evidence at the end of the study not relying on prior hypothesis, as well as findings that may be broader in scope than the boundaries of the study (Family Health International 1, 2010). The researcher finds and establishes patterns in the social world. They ask then try to understand the “how” and “why” questions in the experiences of individuals, or a group of people. It also establishes the processes involved with these occurrences. This manner of research contributes to the field of knowledge by understanding the reasons behind human behaviour. It further provides insight and reasons into why things happen aside from what and how phenomenon occurs. It was suggested by Grix (2002) that this kind of research is helpful in informing policies and program evaluation. It has more diverse and flexible information gathered that encompasses subjective views in relation to social issues. Qualitative research is often conducted through observations, consideration of reactions, actions, language, signs and symbols. This are equated with socially constructed meanings as influenced by the purpose of the study. Results can be shaped by the approach taken. The qualitative researcher has been seen to have greater critical concerns for controlling biases in their study. They can provide control on the objective or subjective interpretation of study results. This, qualitative research usually has fewer participants because a bigger amount of details are extracted from them. It is considered a more specific approach to finding answers. In some cases, qualitative research is considered more efficient and effective than quantitative research (Family Health International 1, 2010). The first study to be reviewed is conducted by Morag McArthur, Joanna Zubrzycki, Anthony Rochester & Lorraine Thomson called “Dad, Where are we Going to Live Now?’ Exploring Fathers’ Experiences of Homelessness” published in Australian Social Work. The purpose of the research was to find out the phenomenon and experiences of fathers who are sole parents in their experience of homelessness. The study which may be considered a set of case studies, conducted a review on the family homelessness, conducted queries to develop a profile of homeless fathers and their children, profiled the pathways into homelessness, and documented the model of delivery service provided by Canberra Fathers and Children Service Inc. CANFaCS. Extensive interview using open-ended questions were used by the study. The fathers interviewed were either current or past CANFaCS service users with a range of experiences representative of the bigger CANFaCS user group. The experiences are considered “typical” (McArthur et al, 2006, p 293). Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted focusing on the fathers’ experiences of homelessness and fatherhood. It covered the family, education, cultural and support background of the fathers, their circumstances prior to becoming homeless, their relationship and circumstances for the children, their experiences with CANFaCS, lone parenting, and issues that include housing, work, financial, health, childcare and legal. Five homeless fathers provided their narrative. The research concluded that the fathers’ experiences of homelessness is complex but sufficient to provide a picture about the experience as well as guide in ensuring policies as well as implementation of services by providers. The second study was conducted by Natasha Slesnick, Pushpanjali Dashora, Amber Letcher, Gizem Erdem, Julianne Serovich called “A review of services and interventions for runaway and homeless youth: Moving forward” and which appeared in Children and Youth Services Review. This is another qualitative study that explored the impact of community-based services and treatment interventions designed to intervene in the lives of runaway and homeless youth. Databases were searched using keywords “homeless youth, runaway, adolescent, shelter, intervention, drop-in, outreach, international, qualitative, treatment and services” (p 733). Various services were defined. It gathered data about funding agencies, authorization, programs, as well as target outcomes. The services include provision of grants to provide temporary shelter o homeless youths. The second program evaluated helps adolescents in foster care, longer-term residential support, and life skills support. Another program was the Street Outreach Program that serves homeless, street-based and runaway youths. The method used is extensive research on the said services for homeless youths, availability, involved agencies, sources of funds, programs, their impact on youths and other information that supports the extensiveness of data gathered. The impacts were measured through follow-up findings, as well as the actual result of the treatment or interventions provided to youths. The study found that short term benefits are provided to homeless youths but long-term benefits were not defined. The third study was undertaken by Michael Wearing. It is called the “Strengthening youth citizenship and social inclusion practice — The Australian case: Towards rights based and inclusive practice in services for marginalized young people” and published in Children and Youth Services Review. The purpose of the study was to provide a “framework for understanding disadvantaged young people from a youth citizenship perspective that includes social inclusion principles and a rights based approach to service delivery” (p 1). The study undertook several key elements about the current issues on homeless that touched on policy, international mandate, social inclusion agenda, services available, inclusive principles, and user rights. It enumerated social, economic, institutional, territorial and symbolic actions and impact of these services provided to the homeless. It also explored on the ways marginality is voiced. It provided a deeper understanding on inclusive practice, explored on literature of homeless youth emphasizing on individual voices and case studies, aboriginal youth, implications for service practice and education. It concluded that “Australian Government agendas of human rights and social inclusion are currently in their infancy,” (p 7). First, it dug deeper on the cases of homelessness in Australia. It tried to seek international and local agenda, and then proceeded to describe available services to the homeless. It then proceeded to evaluate the impact of these services through a comparative assessment on the implementation of the homeless legal rights. The study used several methods to provide the framework. The fourth study was undertaken by Xiaojiang Yu called the “The great Australian dream busted on a brick wall: Housing issues in Sydney.” It was published in Cities. This study examined the issues and causes surrounding housing stress in Sydney. It provided views in socioeconomic, governmental, and property investment perspective. Under the housing issues, the researcher explored on the prices of houses, affordability and ownership. It found out that the fast growth in Sydney, Australia made housing the most expensive in terms of established or real market housing prices. It proved this through provision of the media housing price in year 2000. Financial commitment was seen as another issue in the housing. The study explored on the financial burdens of owning a house. It found that “80.7% of low-income households were experiencing housing stress; that is, they spent more than 30% of their incomes on rent or mortgage payments,” through comparative analysis of previous findings. It also explored on the role of government policy in the housing crisis, as well as property investor behaviour, and demographic changes. Through literature review, it established that affordable housing has become a failure among low-income households as housing market bubble as property owners charged higher rents. For property investors, it was found that a “lucrative investment environment; housing market speculation; aspirations to create wealth and financial security; and cultural influence,” were the aspects of housing price spiral in Sydney. Through historical and critical social research, the study established possibilities about the housing problem in Sydney which in part has driven homelessness among low-income or poor residents. The fifth study to be reviewed is conducted by NESAY called “Developing Supportive Partnerships for Youth and Homeless People.” The study was presented to encourage partnership with organisations and individuals towards providing assistance to homeless youths. It explored on the risks experienced by homeless youths, how poverty contributed to the issue, reasons why certain qualities can be used to addressed homelessness among youths, the strengths and abilities of established respect between consultant, the agencies and their service users, factors to unemployment, who are the partners towards employing youths, how partnerships are established, as well as how programs help in the intervention process. The paper used exploratory, historical research methods as well as interviews in order to come up with the presentation. The sixth study is undertaken by Maggie Kirkman, Deborah Keys, Daria Bodzak, and Alina Turner called, “Are we moving again this week?” Childrens experiences of homelessness in Victoria, Australia.” It was published in Social Science & Medicine. The purpose of the study is to gain insight and understand the experiences of homeless children who are served temporary dwellings in various settings. It conducted extensive interviews with interactive activities taken from the Mosaic approach (Clark and Moss, 2001) such as “About Me” and “Friends” using spider diagram, sticker sheets, and page drawing. Prior to the interview with children, the parents were requested to fill-up forms for background information. The activity included paper works for the children which asked them to tick boxes of “Big Worry”, “Medium Worry” and “Little Worry.” The study found the sense of insecurity, stress and unhappiness linked to the children’s homelessness. These are further reflected in their poor health or physical conditions of asthma, dental and skin problems. The feeling of security inside housing service has also been established. The seventh article for review was conducted by Shelley Mallett, Doreen Rosenthal, Deborah Keys called “Young people, drug use and family conflict: Pathways into homelessness” published in Journal of Adolescence. The study conducted in Melbourne, Australia had 302 homeless young people participants using brief interviews and these were used to analyse pathways to homelessness. Age was established from 12 to 20 years old, and they must have spent at least two consecutive nights away from home. The interviews were recorded by audio-tape then transcribed. Themes were also developed within the first 30 interviews. The study was part of a larger study. It was able to establish that among the 1/3 of participants, drug or alcohol use was a factor in their pathway to homelessness. Other factors include family breakdown, attitude to school, and relational conflicts. The eighth study was conducted by Ian Darnton-Hill, John A. Mandryk, Philip A. Mock, June Lewis, and Charles B. Kerr. It is called “Sociodemographic and health factors in the well-being of homeless men in Sydney, Australia” and published in Social Science & Medicine. The study used historical research and then used Australian sample studies to determine the factors leading to ill-health among the homeless in Australia. It found among the literatures that “ill-effects on health of being homeless and in this group drinking alcohol and length of time on skidrow appear to be the major factors. It is also suggested that the homeless are generally from comparatively disadvantaged backgrounds before becoming homeless, and more likely to be migrants. They were also less likely to have ever married and more likely to have been in jail or psychiatric institutions,” (p 537). Conclusion Various methods and approaches are used in qualitative research to establish answers about the homelessness in Australia. The above studies were conducted in various manners, from historical and critical social research, to interviews, evaluation, comparative assessment of several previous literatures, observation and other ways in order to establish possible answers to problems posed. This means that qualitative research is flexible and adaptable depending on the topic and the need to be answered. It becomes a useful tool in defining problems as well as solution in social aspects or even to help policy makers and service providers to become more effective. References Clark, A., & Moss, P. (2001). Listening to young children: The Mosaic approach. London: National Children’s Bureau for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Darnton-Hill, I., Mandryk, J.A., Mock, P.A., Lewis, J., Kerr, C.B.1990. Sociodemographic and health factors in the well-being of homeless men in Sydney, Australia. Social Science & Medicine, 31, Issue 5, 1990, Pages 537-544 Family Health International 1. 2010. Qualitative Research. Accessed from http://www.fhi.org/nr/rdonlyres/etl7vogszehu5s4stpzb3tyqlpp7rojv4waq37elpbyei3tgmc4ty6dunbccfzxtaj2rvbaubzmz4f/overview1.pdf Grix, J. 2002, ‘ Introducing Students to the Generic Terminology of Social Research, Political Studies Association, vol 22, pp.175-186. Kidd, S.A. and Carroll, M.R.. 2007.Coping and suicidality among homeless youth. Journal of Adolescence 30 283–296. Mallet, S., Rosenthal, D. and Keys, D. 2005. Young people, drug use and family conflict: Pathways into homelessness. Journal of Adolescence, 28, Issue 2, April 2005, Pages 185-199 McArthur, M., Zubrzycki, J. Rochester, A. & Thomson, L. 2006. ‘Dad, Where are we Going to Live Now?’ Exploring Fathers’ Experiences of Homelessness. Australian Social Work, Vol. 59, No. 3, September 2006, pp. 288-300 NESAY. 2010. Developing Supportive Partnerships for Youth and Homeless People. NESAY Specialist Jobs Services Australia Provider. Robinson, C. (2003). Understanding iterative homelessness: The case of people with mental disorders. Canberra: Final Report No 45, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute. Slesnick, N., Dashora, P., Letcher, A., Erdem, G., and Serovich, J. 2009. A review of services and interventions for runaway and homeless youth: Moving forward. Children and Youth Services Review 31 (2009) 732–742 Wearing, M. 2010. Strengthening youth citizenship and social inclusion practice — The Australian case: Towards rights based and inclusive practice in services for marginalized young people. Children and Youth Services Review xxx (2010) xxx–xxx from www. e lsevi e r.com/locate/childyouth Yu, X. 2005. The great Australian dream busted on a brick wall: Housing issues in Sydney. dream busted on a brick wall: Housing issues in Sydney. Cities 22, No. 6, p. 436–445 Read More