How does mental illness affect homelessness?
I. Methods of data collection
The research question in this research project is the effect of mental illnesses affecting homelessness in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. The type of question in this research paper is descriptive because the study is primarily designed with a purpose of identifying why the phenomenon exists (Sprengerc, 2017). Perhaps the purpose of examining on the status of the Minneapolis area is because of the many reports going on mental illnesses and the effects it has had to the homeless over time. In this regard, the purpose and the goal of this descriptive research question is to offer the description through which the phenomenon exists and the surrounding characteristics about the scenario. The scenario in this research can be said as concerning with what or probably the issue came to being or happened (Fazel et al., 2018). Therefore, the observation method of data collection and filing of the surveys by the respondents will probably be the most effective tools for the collection of data and information for analysis and ultimate interpretation for decision making. In this research, there are the dependent and the independent variables (Sprengerc, 2017). The dependent variable is mental illnesses, and the independent variables are the impacts it has had to the homelessness within Minneapolis.
The epistemology of the research question is based on the philosophical study in which the origin, nature and the limitation of the human knowledge is determined (Sprengerc, 2017). In this case, the epistemology of the research question is because the issue of mental illness is present, and it has some negative impacts to the victims and the surrounding people such as close family members (Fazel et al., 2018). In this regard, the epistemology is critical since it helps in influencing the way the researcher tries to frame their own research in the process of discovering the knowledge. By virtue of looking at the relationship in this case between mental illnesses and homelessness, it is possible to discover and explore on the epistemological element of the research to influence on the research design (Fazel et al., 2018). Through epistemological element of the research question, the researcher determines the relationship between the mental health impact on homelessness. However, in this context, it complicated because it is a two-way relationship (Sprengerc, 2017). An individual’s mental illness contribute to behavioral and the cognitive challenges that make it hard to earn stable income that will encourage stable housing.
The ontology evidence of this research work reflects on the researcher’s relationship and connection with the reality of the study. In this research question, the ontological evidence is clear where the researcher shows the zeal to conduct the research regarding the impacts of the mental health on homelessness in Minneapolis (Sprengerc, 2017). Perhaps, there is the reason why the researcher has decided on Minneapolis as the only suitable area of study other than other avenues of research (Fazel et al., 2018). For that reason, the ontological belief and evidence shows a philosophical belief system concerning the nature of the social reality. An example, in this case of this question, the social reality is the aspect of having mental illness. It indicates what can be known and how. For that reason, ontology in a research question helps in recognizing how certain elements can be about the fundamental nature and the existence of objects of research (Sprengerc, 2017). Meanwhile, the relativist ontology is grounded on the philosophical element of the truth and pragmatism through construction within the human mind.
The form of data collection in this study is critical because it determines the amount of data and information collected for analysis, interpretation and decision making. Most importantly, the forms determine the accuracy of the data collected which is a fundamental concept of research (Sprengerc, 2017). In this case, the various forms of research include the Interviews, Questionnaires, and surveys, oobservations, documentation and records, oral histories from experienced community elder and the focus groups (Fazel et al., 2018). In this case of this research, data and information can be collected through three fundamental types of data survey methods, namely, sample surveys, stratified surveys, censuses and ither administrative methods of data collection. However, each of the method has its own advantages and disadvantages considering the mode of application (Sprengerc, 2017). Through these methods of data collection, qualitative kind of data is used as well as quantitative form of data.
The fact that methods applied in data collection are varied, the data collected is susceptible to be affected or determined by certain factors. One of the phenomenal factors is the trade off in question research (Sprengerc, 2017). In research, the trade off analysis explains a collection of standard but clear statistical techniques that are useful in the provide an objective insight referring the consumer preference using repeatable and quantifiable approach. In a research where big data is expected, tradeoffs are common because in determining the standard in which the data can be analyzed. As such, the trade off in this research would be an effective method in rational selection among the available alternatives in the field of study. According to Fazel et al., (2018), “trade-off studies involve computation of multiple evaluation criteria in parallel for several alternatives simultaneously”.
This method appears to be the best method in data collection for the research question in sense that it provides a wide range of data collection that supports in formulating designs”. The results are also close in connection to the amount of data and information collected (Sprengerc, 2017). The best method is keen to collect even the minor details to allow accuracy and workability with data.
Methods of Data Analysis
There were various methods of data collection for this research. As such, data analysis will undergo five steps. The first step in data analysis will define the questions on the need for this data. As indicated in the data collected, the main question is the correlation of mental illness through homelessness (Latimer et al., 2019). The second step in data analysis will involve cleaning data quality and evaluating the best data mechanism to use to improve the accuracy of the research. Various forms of research such as interviews, questionnaires, surveys, observations, and documentation will be cleaned and incorporate into the most crucial forms of data extracted. Data collected without consistent are separated from cleaned data to improve on the research objectives. Also, anomalous data with duplicate data that could skew the analysis are cleaned to ensure consistency. After effectively cleaning various forms of data, the third step of data analysis will comprise analyzing the data collected. Since different parameters are used in collecting data varies, this step involves data mining techniques. This stage will also involve predictive analyses and data visualization to forecast the research outcomes. Besides, this process attempts to identify data manipulation strategies.
The final stage in data analysis for this research will be an interpretation of the outcome. Following data analysis on the data collected, this step will interpret data based on the processes involved. For example, the data analyzed through questionnaires and interviews are interpreted separately to improve the outcomes. Nevertheless, the process ensures interpreted data on the effect of mental illness and homelessness is projected to evaluate its projection (Paul et al., 2018). The main approach in this step is to ensure the data present has answered the questions as integrated. The reasons as to why various data analysis used in the process are stated in this step. Finally, challenges in data analysis on the topic of mental illness and its effect on homelessness will be examined to improve the research on this area.
II. References
Latimer, E. A., Rabouin, D., Cao, Z., Ly, A., Powell, G., Adair, C. E., & At Home/Chez Soi Investigators. (2019). Cost-effectiveness of Housing First intervention with intensive case management compared with treatment as usual for homeless adults with mental illness: secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. JAMA network open, 2(8), e199782-e199782
Paul, S., Corneau, S., Boozary, T., & Stergiopoulos, V. (2018). Coping and resilience among ethnoracial individuals experiencing homelessness and mental illness. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 64(2), 189-197.
S. Fazel et al (2018). The prevalence of mental disorders among the homeless in western countries: Systematic review and meta-regression analysis, Pp 2-167.
Sprengerc (2017). Housing Homeless Who are Diagnosed with Mental Illness: Social Service Professionals’ Perspectives. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/526c
