Depopulation Research: Sedgwick
County
Over the past 16 years, only two
building permits for new housing construction have been issued in Sedgwick
County, Colorado. This is consistent with the depopulation (particularly of
younger persons) and economic diminution that is attributed to a declining
rainfall since the 1970s. These are quantitative details. It is unclear how
much of the depopulation was due to perceived opportunities elsewhere, to
copycat or fad behavior, and to perceived change in local economic opportunity.
Is qualitative analysis more likely to identify the leading cause of Sedgwick
County’s out-migration than are quantitative econometric methods? Why or why
not? Which characteristics of qualitative research exerted the most influence
as a view was formed on this topic?
300 words and references please
