mayors commission to combar poverty research
TRANSCRIPT
Millersville University Public Relations ResearchMay 4th, 2016
The Mission:“The Mayor's Commission to Combat Poverty will engage the community to increase the local understanding of poverty and undergo a problem solving process to make Lancaster City a better place for all.”
Meet The Team:
Cayla PavlovecResearch Director
Sarah TylerAsst. Research
Director
Angelica LopezLiterature Reviewer
Allison MartinHuman
Subjects Reviewer
Vassana MeeInstrument Designer
Research Questions: 1. - What is the best way to communicate the conditions of poverty in Lancaster with local associations?
2. - What is the local associations level of awareness of the Mayor’s Commission to Combat Poverty?
3. - How knowledgeable are associations in regard to poverty in Lancaster City?
4. - What is the relationship between knowledge and involvement with efforts to combat poverty in Lancaster City?
Background: Theories:➔ The current poverty rate in
Lancaster City is 29%.
➔ In the southern end of Lancaster City (South of King St.) it is about 40%.
➔ The Mayor’s Commission to Combat Poverty is looking to gage citizens and local associations on their awareness of poverty and willingness to help them.
➔ Agenda Setting Theory◆ Symptoms
◆ Who is to blame?
◆ Local perceptions
➔ Media Framing Theory◆ Irresponsibility
◆ Unfortunate
◆ Causal or Treatment Responsibilities
Background cont’dKey Concepts: Communication Awareness Knowledge Involvement1st Study- Langille-Hoppe, 2010
a series of focus group interviews that were conducted with the hopes of understanding and bridging the gap between the needs of poor communities with local organizational resources
2nd Study- Theodore, 1972the local Community Action Agency (CAA) wanted to gain an understanding of the awareness levels of people in the community
Method and Instrument:➔ Online Questionnaire (Google Forms)
◆ Emailed directly to Lancaster City associations
● Population: 156 associations (For-Profit and Non-Profit)
● Response Time: Less than 5 minutes
● Recorded Responses: 24
● Response Rate: 15.3%
➔ Concepts ● Communication
● Awareness
● Knowledge
● Involvement
Method and Instrument cont’d:Sent Google Form Survey to 156 local associations [for profit & non-
profit]
24 responses at a 15.3% response rate.
22 questions
Provided incentive with raffle chance to win donuts for their office
Waited one week before sending follow up emails
Plan B was not executed.
Results: Demographics of the SampleWhat category does your association fall under?
Results: CommunicationHow does your association receive local news or updates regarding the city?
Results: AwarenessHow aware is your association of the Mayor’s Commission to Combat Poverty?
Results: KnowledgeWhat do you believe is the current percentage of impoverished citizens in Lancaster City?
Results: InvolvementIs your association currently involved with any efforts to combat poverty?
Limitations:➔ Spam Filters➔ Individual knowledge➔ Distribution to generic email addresses
Areas for Future Research and Recommendations:➔ Receiving updates & how associations receive
updates➔ Interest in learning & willingness to help the
commission➔ Familiarity with commission & how associations
receive updates
Thank You Everyone for Your Time!
It has been a pleasure to provide research for the Mayor's Commission to Combat
Poverty.