Research Agenda: Methodology

Methodologically, we combine a geographical information systems approach with a questionnaire survey and analysis of census data.

1. Demographic data will be obtained from the 2001 Canadian Census to create demand side database(s) that allow us to identify spatial concentrations of immigrants, seniors, and low-income groups and the socioeconomic characteristics of the areas within which they live. Spatial analysis techniques will be used.
2. A survey of the three vulnerable populations – immigrants, low income and the elderly – will be conducted to ascertain their awareness, use, and satisfaction with various human services in York Region. The survey data will enable us to assess the validity of the estimated demand from the census information. It will indicate which services are salient for each group, whether there is a perceived need for each service, and levels of use. The survey will also provide information on factors that encourage or discourage use of appropriate human services.
3. The project will build a geo-referenced supply-side relational database of human services relevant to the provision of educational services for children and adults, housing services, settlement services, and services to promote employment and small business development. The database will contain locational and service information for each service provider.
4. GIS will be used to integrate the supply and demand databases. Various spatial analytic tools entailing the region’s public transit information system will be used to calculate for each of the vulnerable populations their access to each service.

Download the Research Methodology document.