1.6 Limitations
This report has heavily relied on the personal observations and judgment of the writer; therefore the following important limitations are appended below.
1. Unidentifiable Tool
Unfortunately (even after four months into the project), a clear idea of what the tools and resources will be is still undecided. It is unclear whether a report style, checklist, or other kind of format will be utilized to form this tool that the outcomes of this project promise.
2. Gaps in Information
Crucial gaps exist in the kind of information the City of Cambridge has to offer. In the past, the city had a very informative Strategic Plan presented in 1994 stating the city’s main concerns, objectives, initiatives, and policies. No updates have been found in regards to such a plan as of 2003. Gaps such as these hinder the development of projects that organisations such as the Social Planning Council are involved with. The report of 1994 helped to set an indication of where the city of Cambridge saw itself, as well as providing a direction for where it wanted to be in the future.
3. Time Restrictions
This study was carried out in a limited amount of time. Had more time been available, some organisations would not have been left out of the interview and kitchen table talk process.
4. Available Human Resources
All of the human resources available for the project had contracts ending near the end of August. Much of the work near the end of the month had to be rushed and completed so that nothing was left unfinished for those that took on the project in months ahead. Therefore, most reports had been left in draft form to be taken up by new placement students and staff members during the next phase of this project.
5. Knowledge of Inclusion and Exclusion
It should be noted that the information received throughout this report relied heavily on the knowledge and understanding the interviewees had on the concept of social and economic inclusion and exclusion. Efforts were made to increase their comprehension of the concept had it not been clear, so that they could better understand each question and thus give relevant feedback about their organisation, community, and their perception of senior/youth concerns.
6. Interviews and Kitchen Table Talks
A total of fourteen interviews (seven seniors services and seven youth services) were conducted and analysed, along with the evaluation of six kitchen table talks (three senior groups, and three youth groups) for the preparation of this report. In light of the many other organisations that serve Cambridge and North Dumfries, only a small percentage of seniors and youth were contacted for this study.
7. Rural versus Urban
It should be noted that most of the organisations interviewed were located in Cambridge and served mainly the urban population. Very few rural youth or seniors participated in the interview and kitchen table talk processes, which might have unfortunately made this report less comprehensive.