A new assignment was given for this week’s class: Prepare a one-paragraph proposal for the following study: “Think of a question about New York and gather some data that answers it. Is the express train worth the wait? Is there a prime street for dog-watching? Are people in DUMBO smarter than people in RAMBO?” Tell us what you want to study, what you expect to find, and how you will collect the data.
My response to the second stirred up several ideas around restaurants, transportation, entertainment, nature, music listening patterns, exercise, shopping, school systems, political activity, sense of isolation versus connectivity, drivers… with different goals including personal interest, financial gain, assistive, education, or artistic value. I’ve decided on the concept below.
QUESTION / PROPOSAL
This study is about the quality of life in New York City, as determined by your decision to stay here. It is easy to find a reason to visit and/or reside in New York. Perhaps you were born and raised, moved here at a young age, came for education or employment, or simply decided to try a new environment. Whatever the case may be, you are here, and you have surely discovered many unique benefits and flaws of living here. This study is not interested in those. Instead, this survey has just one main question.
What single idea or entity keeps you from moving away from “The City” now? (1-5 words)
Optional background information includes:
-birth year
-birth location (city/country)
-current zip code
-occupation
-potential destination(s)
-expected move
EXPECTED FINDINGS
I want to discover the most compelling reasons individuals remain in NYC. I expect to get a wide range of responses, perhaps including pace of life, diverse cultures, opportunities to study / work, family and friends, property ownership, freedom of identity, etc. My hope is that respondents narrow down their thoughts to produce a singular, truthful answer.
DATA COLLECTION METHOD
An online survey would seem to be the most convenient and efficient method.