Analyzing the Ways in which Urban Ministries of Durham Can Better Serve the Needs of the Durham Poor and Homeless

The following is a community based research report of the work of Urban Ministries intern, Tegan Joseph Mosugu. Tegan conducted a community based research project from May to July, Working as a research fellow at Urban Ministries, Tegan had a wide exposure to all the day to day. During his nine weeks at Urban Ministries, Tegan worked with administrative officials, volunteers, shelter residents and guests. His internship involved constant interaction with all these entities in order to fully answer his research question.

During his time at Urban Ministries, Tegan maintained a cafeteria office in which, he was able to formulate the questions he needed to ask. In addition to that, Tegan also compiled his data collection samples based on the people being surveyed.  Qualitative and quantitative data were utilized in the data collection process. Tegan’s day to day conversations with the people at the Shelter served as his means for collecting qualitative data. For administrators and volunteers, Tegan used a non-formal interview technique. Whereas, for volunteers, guests and shelter residents, he simply engaged in simple conversation –“kitchen table conversation.”

When it comes to the technique employed for collecting quantitative data, Tegan employed a rating system in which shelter residents had to either provide a grade or a numerical rating for a program or service in the Shelter. Tegan also used direct observation of the behavior of individuals in gathering his quantitative data.