MULT20003 Group Assignment

Justification

• To better understand how different generations perceive climate change and how that impacts their lifestyle choices.

• These generations include: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennial and Generation Z. These generations were chosen as they are the most active participants in our current society.

• We aim to compare the viewpoints of these generations, their justifications and understandings of the climate change issue.

• In understanding what lifestyle choices each generation makes, we can analyse their level of impact towards effective climate action.

Justification

Limitations

• Larger corporations and industries have a larger impact on the environment and climate change than an individual's actions

• Understanding a lifestyle choice doesn't necessarily enact change

However:

• In focusing on individuals, we can understand how personal attitudes reflect in people's actions.

• Although we may not be able to create change on an individual level, this information can influence community level change

Limitations

Limitations to Qualitative Data

Limitations

• The data and the conclusions are subjectively interpreted by both the researcher and the readers (Mason 2002, p. 60).

• The sample can't be generalisable to the wider population of each generation (Morgan 1996, p. 140).

Justification

• Why focus groups?
• This allows the researcher to observe and record how different generations interact whilst also generating data and discussion surrounding lifestyle habits in regards to climate change. It also provides the opportunity to ask structured questions that provide clear answers whilst also allowing for the natural development of conversation between people (Morgan 1996, p. 146).
• Allows for a more detailed and abstract analysis behind social dynamics, and provides greater insight into why certain answers have been given. We found that the answers to prompted questions would not be suitable in a quantitative format, as participants would be biased to answer in ways that conform to their generational identity
• We are provided a closer look at how generations perceive each other, and what lifestyle choices differ between them, predominantly in regards to climate action. This data will help us understand which generations do the most and which do the least in regards to climate change, and why.
• By using two focus groups, the researcher is able to compare the insight from both groups (Morgan 1996, p. 146). This allows for a more in depth understanding of how each generations' lifestyles choices differ from each other
• By conducting the focus group in a neutral public space, it allows each participant to speak freely and comfortably without the formality of a meeting or experiment room (Mason 2002, p. 91)

Justification

Sampling

• Two people from each selected generation will be present in each focus group. This will allow for a greater diversity of opinion within the focus group and generate a broader understanding of how each generation thinks and acts (Moran 1996, p. 146). As a result, each person will be able to speak more comfortably in the presence of another individual they can relate to; without this relationship, inter-generational interaction can create biased and disingenuous opinions in discussions.

• Community flyers in public spaces in Melbourne's CBD will be used to recruit participants. By selecting from the community as a whole, we can achieve more generalisable data.

Sampling

Limitations

• By taking sampling from the city, we are limited in scope as we can’t generalise our information to more rural and urban areas
• Being boxed into the generational stereotype, participants may feel inclined to answer according to pre-existing archetypes
• The focus group setting may influence how participants interact with each other. Some people may attempt to conform to popular opinion within a larger group, as well as presenting themselves according to assumed expectations of their behaviour (Morgan 1996, p. 146).
• Some participants may also be more or less comfortable speaking in front of a group (Morgan 1996, p. 146).
• People behave differently in front of a camera, as knowing they are being recorded may ultimately influence the data (Mason 2002, p. 77).

Limitations