12 Simon Communities in Ireland Secondary Analysis of Existing Qualitative Data A secondary analysis of data is a process where data collected by one or more researcher is re- analysed to pursue an alternative perspective on the same research topic, or a new research interest entirely (Hinds et al., 1997). Secondary analysis is beneficial since it: 1) allows for the generation of “new knowledge, new hypotheses, or support for existing theories” (Heaton, 1998); 2) aids sensitive research by reducing respondent burden and minimising the recruitment of additional participants (Szabo and Strang, 1997); and 3) gives greater access to rich, detailed data collected from elusive, rare or inaccessible respondents (Fielding et al., 2008; Long-Sutehall et al., 2011). This research draws on data garnered from a biographical study of homeless women in Ireland (see Mayock and Sheridan, 2012a,b; 2013; Mayock et al., 2012; Mayock et al., 2015 for a more detailed overview of the study’s methodological approach).1 The study, which was initiated in late 2009, involved the conduct of biographical interviews with 60 homeless women in Ireland. The women were recruited through contact with homeless and domestic violence services in Dublin, Cork and Galway. Ethnographic observation was also undertaken in a number of sites, including homeless hostels and food centres, in Dublin city. The research aims were exploratory and included: 1. The investigation of women’s homeless ‘pathways’, that is, their entry routes to homelessness, the homeless experience itself and, possibly, their exit routes from homelessness; 2. An investigation of the structural and individual factors that impact on women’s housing/homeless trajectories or ‘careers’; 3. An exploration of women’s approaches to help seeking and their interactions and experiences with services; and 4. The development of recommendations to inform community-based prevention and services targeting homeless women. Drawing on selected data, the secondary analysis aimed to examine women’s service utilisation practices and their interactions with services and service providers. Their experiences of accessing services and negotiating homeless and other service systems received particular attention, as did their perspectives on their perceived service needs. The analysis also focused on the women’s initial entry point to homeless accommodation; their perspectives on the ‘rules’ that govern different service settings; and women’s interactions and relationships with other service users. 1 This research was funded by the Irish Research Council Research Fellowship Scheme (2009-10) and the Health Service Executive, Social Inclusion. It was granted ethical approval by the Research Ethics Committee (REC), School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin, in October 2009.
Women, Homelessness and Service Provision
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