The impact of Covid-19 on research within the homeless services sector

Bibliographic Data

ID12652183
AuthorsJeannette Waegemakers Schiff (0000-0003-1845-6703, University of Calgary, corresponding author), Eric Paul Weissman (University of New Brunswick), Deborah M Scharf (0000-0002-1147-4741, Lakehead University), Rebecca Schiff (0000-0002-2251-1288, Lakehead University), Stephanie Campbell (0000-0003-4123-6805, Lakehead University), Jordan Knapp (University of Calgary), Alana Jones (0000-0002-0431-8708)
Year2021
Volume24
Issue3/4
Pages123-133
Publication date2021-12-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHousing Care and Support (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1460-8790 • E-ISSN: 2042-8375
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/hcs-08-2021-0023
OpenAlexW4200188092
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited11

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the challenges of conducting research with homelessness services frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach Between 2015 and 2019, the research team surveyed frontline staff in three cities about their psychosocial stressors and needs. In 2020, the authors replicated the previous study and expanded data collection to seven cities across Canada to determine the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the well-being of frontline staff. This report describes how the authors adapted the research methodologies to continue work throughout the pandemic, despite various restrictions. Findings The original studies had very high participation rates because of several methodological approaches that minimized barriers, especially in-person data collection. During the pandemic, distancing requirements precluded replication of these same methods. Research strategies that enabled staff participation during working hours, with designated time allotted for participation, was key for ensuring high participation rates, as access to technology, availability of free time and other factors frequently make online survey research a hardship for these staff. Restrictive interpretation and regional variations of COVID-19 guidelines by some research ethics boards were also a challenge to rapid and responsive data collection. Originality/value Few studies describe the experiences of frontline workers in the homelessness sector, and quantitative reports of their experiences are particularly scant. Consequently, little is known about specific methodologies that facilitate large-scale data collection in the homelessness services sector. The present research advances the field by providing lessons learned about best practice approaches in pre and post COVID-19 front line worker contexts. A strength of this research is the well-controlled design. The authors collected data within several of the organizations that had previously participated. This fortunate baseline provided opportunity for comparison before and during the pandemic; the authors can highlight factors that might have had influence during the pandemic

Business · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Data collection · Distancing · Geography · Originality · Pandemic · Political science · Psychosocial · Public relations · Qualitative research · Scale (ratio · Sociology · Work (physics · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Engineering · Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access