Mixed Methods Research on Economic Conditions, Public Policy, and Family and Child Well-Being
Date & time
Location
Sponsors and organizers
This workshop is sponsored by The Center for Human Potential and
Public Policy at the Harris School of Public Policy Studies at the
University of Chicago, The American Psychological Association, The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the National Poverty Center at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.
The workshop has been organized by Ariel Kalil, a developmental psychologist and Associate Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago; and Hiro Yoshikawa, a psychologist with joint appointments as Associate Professor in psychology and public policy at New York University.
Registration
This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited - first come first served. Please RSVP to Casey Parrotte.
Background
Much research has been conducted to explore how economic conditions and related public policies affect children and their families. However, most of this work has been conducted within single disciplines, using single methodologies. Relatively little research, for example, has combined quantitative and qualitative approaches to examining these questions. Yet, the few studies that have done so show the substantial intellectual and policy benefits of integrating these methods.
The purpose of this conference is to bring together an interdisciplinary
group of scholars from psychology, sociology, economics, public policy, anthropology, education, and social work, all of whom are actively engaged in both qualitative and quantitative approaches to the study of how economic conditions and public policies affect family and child well-being. Original papers will address a range of important topics in this research area, including (a) parental employment and low-income children's well-being; (b) intra-household resource allocation and investments in children; (c) marriage promotion, family formation, and child well-being; (d) child support and father involvement; (e) neighborhood effects on low-income families and children; (f) poverty, public policy, and the well-being of immigrant children; and (g) implementation and service delivery.
In addition to the presentation of papers and discussion of their
mixed-methods approach and substantive findings, the conference will include break-out work sessions, led by experienced, senior scholars, on conceptualizing and conducting mixed-methods research.
Goals
1. To focus on the design, measurement, and application of combined
quantitative and qualitative methods in empirical work;
2. To discuss these methods in the context of current research on economic conditions, public policy, and family and child well-being;
3. To bring together a group of scholars from psychology, sociology,
economics, public policy, anthropology, education, and social work working with these methods on these topics;
4. To provide formal and informal opportunities for mentorship and
networking between junior and senior scholars (including postdoctoral
fellows) and to facilitate connections and collaborations (particularly for young minority scholars).
Conference Agenda
Conference Day 1 (Monday June 27)
- 8:00-8:45: Breakfast Anderson ABC, Michigan Union
8:45-9:00: Welcome and opening remarks: Ariel Kalil, University of Chicago and Hiro Yoshikawa, New York University.
9:00-10:15: Session I
'What Earnings and Income Buy. The 'Basics' Plus 'A Little Extra': Implications for Family and Child Well-Being.' Rashmita Mistry, University of California, Los Angeles and Ted Lowe, University of California, Los Angeles.
Discussants: Nicole Gardner Neblett, University of Michigan, and Noemi Enchautegui-de-Jesus, Syracuse University.
10:15-12:30: Session II
Plenary Session: Intra-Household Resource Allocation and Investments in Children.
'Earnings, Transfers and Living Arrangements in Fragile Families: Who Pays the Bills?' Katherine Magnuson, University of Wisconsin and Tim Smeeding, Syracuse University.
Who Shares What with Whom? Consumer, Family, and Household Units in the SIPP.' Kathy Short, U.S. Census Bureau, and Tim Smeeding, Syracuse University.
'The Impact of Public Policies on Within-Household Inequalities in the UK.' Holly Sutherland, University of Essex, Susan Himmelweit, the Open University, and Fran Bennett, the University of Oxford.
Discussants: Julieta Lugo-Gil, New York University, Sheldon Danziger, University of Michigan, and Kathryn Edin, University of Pennsylvania.
12:30-1:30: Lunch Anderson D, Michigan Union
1:30-2:45: Session III Anderson ABC, Michigan Union
'Partners' Views of Fragile Families: How Do They Differ? Why Does It Matter?' Maureen Waller, Cornell University and Marianne Bitler, Public Policy Institute of California.
Discussants: Sandra Danziger, University of Michigan and Andrew London, Syracuse University.
2:45-4:00: Session IV
'Families Across Households: Who Gets Counted and the Implications for Family Functioning' Rukmalie Jayakody, Pennsylvania State University and Kristin Seefeldt, University of Michigan.
Discussants: Pam Smock, University of Michigan, and Christina Gibson-Davis, Duke University.
(4:00-4:15 Break)
4:15-5:30: Session V:
Keynote Address and group discussion: 'Merging Different Perspectives, Starting From Different Places.'
Speakers: Greg Duncan, Northwestern University and Kathryn Edin, University of Pennsylvania.
5:30-6:45: Reception Anderson D, Michigan Union
(Dinner on own)
Day 2 (Tuesday June 28)
- 7:45-8:30: Breakfast Anderson ABC, Michigan Union
8:30-9:45: Session VI:
'Mixing Qualitative Methods and Experimental Designs: The Case of Moving to Opportunity.' Susan Clampet-Lundquist, Princeton University; Kathy Edin, University of Pennsylvania; Jeff Kling, Princeton; Greg Duncan, Northwestern.
Discussants: Ruby Mendenhall, University of Chicago and Hiro Yoshikawa, New York University.
9:45-11:00: Session VII:
'Preparing the Way: Early Head Start and the Socio-emotional Health of Infants and Toddlers.' Krista Perreira, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Linda Beeber, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Discussants: Niobe Way, New York University and Ariel Kalil, University of Chicago.
(11:00-11:15 Break)
11:15-12:30: Session VIII:
'The Decline in Welfare Caseloads: An Organizational Perspective' Marcia Meyers, University of Washington.
Discussants: Celeste Watkins, Northwestern University, Janice Johnson , University of Michigan, and Ajay Chaudry, New York State Department of Family Assistance.
12:30-1:00: Session IX:
'Sketching Out a Mixed-Methods Research Agenda.' Ariel Kalil, University of Chicago and Hiro Yoshikawa, New York University.
1:00: Lunch and departures Anderson ABC, Michigan Union
