This thesis uses input-output modeling to measure the economic impact of nonprofit sectors in four counties in Florida. The model is calibrated using data that describes the inter-industry relationships within each local economy, and then simulated using input-output analysis with social accounting matrix extensions. Output multipliers are generated for the Arts, Education, Environment, Health, Human Services, and Other nonprofit sectors using IMPLAN software, which calculates the ripple effects throughout each local economy. The 10-year annual growth rates from 1996 to 2006 for each nonprofit sector are used to create projections that describe what the non-profit landscape will look like in each county in year 2016. Comparisons are made between the current and future non-profit landscape, and some possible drivers of the variable growth rates are discussed. I find that there is a noticeable connection between the size of the local economy and the growth of non-profit sectors within them over time. I also find that the growth and success of the non-profit Health sector is an important indicator for the performance of the overall non-profit sector.

This book is based upon my experiences in research as a student, practitioner and teacher. The difficulties I faced in understanding research as a student, my discoveries about what was applicable and inapplicable in the field as a practitioner, and my development of the ability effectively to communicate difficult concepts in simple language without sacrificing technicality and accuracy as a teacher have become the basis of this book. Research methodology is taught as a supporting subject in several ways in many academic disciplines such as health, education, psychology, social work, nursing, public health, library studies and marketing research. The core philosophical base for this book comes from my conviction that, although these disciplines vary in content, their broad approach to a research enquiry is similar. This book, therefore, is addressed to these academic disciplines. It is true that some disciplines place greater emphasis on quantitative research and some on qualitative research. My own approach to research is a combination of both. Firstly, it is the objective that should decide whether a study be carried out adopting a qualitative or a quantitative approach. Secondly, in real life most research is a combination of both methods. Though they differ in the philosophy that underpins their mode of enquiry, to a great extent their broad approach to enquiry is similar. The quantitative research process is reasonably well structured whereas the qualitative one is fairly unstructured, and these are their respective strengths as well as weaknesses. I strongly believe that both are important to portray a complete picture. In addition, there are aspects of quantitative research that are qualitative in nature. It depends upon how a piece of information has been collected and analysed. Therefore I feel very strongly that a good researcher needs to have both types of skill. I follow a qualitative–quantitative–qualitative approach to an enquiry. This book, therefore, has been written to provide theoretical information in an operational manner about methods, procedures and techniques that are used in both approaches. Research as a subject is taught at different levels. The book is designed specifically for students who are newcomers to research and who may have a psychological barrier with regard to the subject. I have therefore not assumed any previous knowledge on the part of the reader; I have omitted detailed discussion of aspects that may be inappropriate for beginners; I have used many flow charts and examples to communicate concepts; and areas covered in the book follow a ‘simple to complex’ approach in terms of their discussion and coverage.