Introduction
The case investigation highlights the debate group an impartial researcher created to determine parents’ and students’ viewpoints on the most current massacres in schools. The represented survey group was set to have 12 residents of the Sand Hills District, lasting for ninety minutes. One guide led the focus group for the hour-long meeting. However, nine parents showed up in the institution’s cafeteria for the session, and there was a schedule difficulty with one of the moderators. Policy analysts can combine multiple methodologies when tackling the issue description phase of the analytical procedure. A policy assessment is crucial for defining the problem before starting the method. Since they have distinct worldviews, individuals and institutions frequently describe issues uniquely. After examining the problem, policymakers must select the best path of action. Therefore, this essay will critically examine a case investigation about school gun attacks by integrating qualitative research, narrative assessments, and discussion group data analytics.
Content Analysis of Problems Definition
The case study’s problem definition concerns the rise in school shootings and the requirement to comprehend their sources and mitigation strategies. The focus group inquiry aimed to learn about the respondents’ responses, opinions, and suggestions on how schools and communities could deal with the situation (Clemons & Mcbeth, 2020). Respondents initially tend to think that either people or weapons have been responsible for school attacks. The causes of school massacres have been attributed to several people. Gun control laws and the media’s elevation of these horrible incidents are the two aspects that surged out most frequently. Some respondents claimed that these atrocities were to blame for parenting issues and aggression seen in media, such as internet access, watching television, and other venues.
One of the participants, Respondent #1, believes that media portrayals of assault weapons are exaggerated. The fourth respondent is convinced that it is the parents’ responsibility to monitor anything their children see on TV or use other types of media. Participant #6 from the association believes that fatalities are caused more by people than by firearms. According to a particular group of participants, the issue is not what is aired or an absence of parental monitoring but that firearms are too easily accessible (Clemons & Mcbeth, 2020). Respondent #5 thinks the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) pro-gun stance greatly influences policy choices (Blackman & Gardiner, 2019). Consequently, the national rifle association and firearm manufacturers should be judged, in some capacity, as liable. These elements relate to government policy because the national government safeguards educational institutions. This study used inductive and deductive methods to examine both concealed and manifest material.
Critique the Facilitator
The focus group talks were effectively facilitated by the research’s moderator, who also managed to elicit replies from those who participated. The focus group moderator appears organized, which is crucial when performing this research. The facilitator pays attention and lets the discussions proceed so that group discussions can progress naturally. While it often appears that the moderator struggles to keep members on the topic or concentrated, I believe they interjected just when necessary to make space for some reasonable discord without allowing the conversation to get off course from the core topic. The facilitator asked suitable inquiries, maintained composure, abstained from offering their own beliefs or ideas, and let individuals speak their minds.
Surveys and Focus Groups
Focus groups were used in this study to comprehend further the respondents’ opinions and encounters with school shootings. In this instance, one can see how focus discussions are frequently utilized to gather people’s ideas, concepts, opinions, and views around a particular subject or issue. Could a poll have been used to perform this case study? What does a survey seek to accomplish? Yes, a poll could have been used to perform the studies. Thus, that is the solution (DeFranzo, 2019). Surveys are effective instruments for gaining insight into people’s beliefs, routines, and actions. Focus groups are useful in carrying out research but also have some drawbacks. Focus groups benefit from personal interaction between group members and facilitators. As seen in this case study, focus groups effectively gather various unadulterated and unvarnished perspectives.
Additionally, they give the facilitator in charge a chance to watch how participants interact with each other. The resources and time needed for focus groups represent some flaws or drawbacks. It is customary to allow participants to be present, but the operator and the facility must be financed before they can be used (DeFranzo, 2019). Discussion groups are also inadequately diversified and do not provide adequate discussion time. Although there is an argument to be offered regarding surveys providing clear and concise opinions, I believe that using a discussion forum to discuss incidents at schools in this particular instance was the better option. Because doing so gives you information that is not easy to acquire, it is critical to hear the opinions and concerns of parents who have kids who attend schools.
Symbols and Metaphors
In order to better understand or enhance one’s point of view on the issue, the focus group participants use metaphors and symbolic language within the text. For instance, Respondent #6’s statement that “Guns are about freedom” throughout the conversation illustrates the concept (Clemons & Mcbeth, 2020). A parallel between throwing rocks and whether or not it should be illegal to do so is made by member #5. By understanding Stone’s metaphorical representation, one can understand what each individual had to say. The guests’ opinions and forecasts varied, and only after identifying the underlying causes of the problem did they assign responsibility.
What is next?
A scholar of policymaking can use the information to learn how different social groups define the issue and identify its underlying causes. Discussing school shootings and coming up with a solution can be made easier with the help of this knowledge. The policy analyst can then advise legislators as a result. Ideally, in this approach, the legislative analyst seeks the opinions of ordinary individuals because they will be most directly touched by the decisions made in the field of governance. Future studies could examine how well these policies and initiatives work and suggest new ways to stop school shootings. To better understand how school shootings affect various regions and populations, the study might also profit from enrolling a more varied sample of respondents.
Conclusion
Determining the issue at hand is necessary before doing a policy analysis. As part of our coursework this week, students were required to examine a case study of focus group research on school shootings. The issue definition, narrative analysis, and content assessment of the problem definition were all addressed. There was also a summary of surveys, focus group illustrations and a critique of the facilitator. In addition, referencing the focus group transcript to talk about metaphors and symbols mentioned during the debate and suggestions for further action is addressed. Policy analysts have a wide range of alternatives when performing a policy study and frequently employ a combination of approaches. To discover the best solutions for the most urgent issues, it is simply up to them to maximize the potential of the numerous possibilities at their disposal.
References
Blackman, P. H., & Gardiner, R. E. (2019). Effect of the NRA (National Rifle Association) As a citizens special interest group concerned with the criminal justice system | Office of Justice Programs. Web.
Clemons, R. S., & Mcbeth, M. K. (2020). Public policy praxis: A case approach for understanding policy analysis (4th Ed.). Routledge.
DeFranzo, S. E. (2019). 4 Main Benefits of Survey Research. SnapSurveys. Web.