Research in total institutions is fraught with problems and pitfalls rarely discussed in methodology and research design textbooks but regularly encountered in the literature. Five of the major relevant problems in research designs for this area are considered, examples of the pitfalls are given, and suggestions for minimizing or overcoming them are offered.
Purpose -This paper attempts to assess the consequences of the existing and unfolding inequalities in older age in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI). Design/methodology/approach -The research involved both quantitative and qualitative methods including focus groups and analysis of existing data on social exclusion and poverty in NI and RoI.Findings -The analysis on publicly available data in the north and south of Ireland revealed few comparable measures on poverty and social exclusion. The study was, however, able to establish key pre-and intra-recession differences between older people in both jurisdictions. The qualitative analysis (focus groups with older people, online surveys with financial advisors) detailed the similarities and differences in the impact of the recession in north and south.Originality/value -This paper reports on the first systematic, comparative study into the impact of the recession on older people in NI and RoI. The paper also makes recommendations for improving data collection on measures which would allow policy makers and researchers to examine the current and future impact of the recession on the living standards and wellbeing of older people.
This article contrasts a retributive penal system (Irish) with a rehabilitative system (Swedish) vis-à-vis the affective responses of women prisoners to incarceration. Previous studies typically have focused on narrow aspects of affect (e.g., interpersonal relationships) in prison. In contrast, the present study takes a more comprehensive approach in order to measure and compare affect over various aspects of prison life. In the more material aspects of life in prison, significant differences were found between the affective responses of Swedish and Irish women prisoners. Surprisingly, this difference did not extend to the less material aspects of prison life (e.g., interpersonal relationships and emotions). The most surprising finding was that the women from the rehabilitative Swedish system were more fearful of not having a “normal” life after release than were those from the retributive Irish system.
In the early 1990s, disability legislation, policy and provision in Ireland experienced seismic changes. These were brought about by international influences and by a concerted effort on the part of the centre-left government in office at that time. A ‘bottom-up’ approach was applied in order to uncover the experiences and identify the needs of people with disabilities throughout the country. Emanating from this, a Report published by the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities in 1995 made 402 recommendations in 22 target areas based on the UN Standard Rules. An evaluation of the impact of this report in 1999 revealed that almost 75 per cent of the recommendations have been or are in the process of being implemented. However, these changes have as yet all taken place at the macro level, and their impact at the micro level – on the lives of people with disabilities – particularly relative to employment has so far been negligible. It may be that the changes made at the macro level are only aspirational, and that more intervention is required to make a difference at the micro level. Alternatively, it may simply be that more time is needed for the changes to filter down to the micro level. Only time will tell.
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