7.9: Evaluation of research assessing the policy’s current outcomes and unanticipated consequences/ Description and evaluation of the research methods to assess the outcomes of proposed modifications

Methodology:

The information contained is a historical review of the City of York along with contemporary studies to support the processes configured to date. A longitudinal qualitative study observing the forward momentum of the City of York is best suited for evaluation purposes. The tumultuous bigotry of the sixties has given way to the collaborative methods pursued under the Brenner Administration. The 1960’s data researched has provided a baseline for which many attempts have been administered until a more positive approach of the all-encompassing philosophical and strategic programs and methodology under Mayor Brenner. Brenner’s approach is community policing; education; job training; and neighborhood improvements in parks and recreation and housing as witnessed by the East Princess Street project and now the West Princess Street project as interconnected collaborations of several strategies for the purpose of increasing the quality of life to City residents. The longitudinal observation requires data collection for a ten-year period from 2003-2013 to best analyze what works, what does not work and have attitudes been modified to the extent that true cooperation is evident from all entities and not solely reliant on police for community rehabilitation.

Data Analysis:

The data collection and continued observation of the west end project likened to the east end project will constitute a correlational analysis. Dependent upon the data collected may provide comparative data. The future study must understand its limitations as well, thus requiring greater scrutiny as to available resources during each project; also the length and commitment of cooperation from all participants; and the addition of any new participants. The question studied is: Will the Public Policy legacy from one administration extend into the next for embellishment or will it be terminated in favor of new administration policy that is credited solely to the new administration? In the political landscape of the past a line of demarcation between administrations and policy direction was generally tied to each administration. The study will represent a quasi-experiment as the independent variables cannot be controlled, but the outcomes certainly can be measured (East Princess Street Neighborhood restoration in comparison to West Princess Street Neighborhood restoration; crime statistics; job training and reintegration programs progress and housing to name a few). The ability to act in unison and with collaboration of strategies may demonstrate a relationship between the successes measured; albeit insufficient to demonstrate the causal linkage.