Background - Research Methods
Four primary research methods were used to capture the perceptions and experiences of youth in Vancouver: a survey; an analysis of census data; a gathering of youth stories; and an independent mobile text survey. Together, with a review of secondary research, this provided a rich understanding of youth in Vancouver.
The Survey
The Youth Vital Signs survey invited youth age 15 to 24 who live, work and/or play in Vancouver to grade 12 key areas of city life, identify issues for action, and rank priorities for community investment by answering a series of multiple choice and open-ended questions. The survey also collected demographic information. The McCreary Centre Society provided mentoring and support to the Youth Leadership Council on survey design and delivery, and field-tested it with six youth focus groups. Identical online and hard-copy versions of the survey were distributed between October 23 and November 15, 2008. More than 1,700 completed surveys were received from youth: 1,192 online and 556 on paper. A team of nine youth, trained and supervised by the McCreary Centre Society, collected the surveys at 30 community and school workshops.
The Stats
The Social Planning and Research Council of B.C. (SPARC BC) was contracted to produce A Demographic Profile of Youth in Vancouver. The Profile gathered data from a range of primary sources, including the 2006 Census, to create a snapshot of Vancouver youth.
The Fast Facts
The Youth Leadership Council collected and reviewed a vast amount of secondary research related to the subject areas, and chose three “fast facts” to highlight in each area.
Youth in Action
Youth are doing amazing things to make Vancouver a better place. The Youth Leadership Council gathered many of their stories throughout the project, a selection of which are presented in this report.