Inquiry Project Methodology

So here is the methodology section of my Community Inquiry Project paper. I'm not super happy with it personally. I also haven't edited it yet. I'm used to writing similar stuff, but there are enough differences between what I think we're supposed to be doing with this and what I'm used to doing with my hardcore scientific papers that it's driving me nuts. Well, more nuts than usual. Anyways, here you go:


Methodology
Literature Search and Online Statistics
The extensive reservoir of literature available in the field of substance use was searched using Google Scholar and the U.S. National library of Medicine. The focus of the literature search was on urban adolescent alcohol and drug use. More focused searches on education in this field and comparisons between urban, suburban and rural, substance use were also performed.
Online statistics relating to substance use were gathered primarily from U.S. Government Agencies specializing in health issues and are referenced as such. Additional statistics were gathered from similar State agencies.

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings
AA meetings were attended in and around the city of interest from 2/5/08 to 12/17/08. For the purposes of this paper, information from discussion and speaker meetings was used exclusively. Speaker meetings involved 1-3 AA members speaking before the group. Speakers generally talked about their experiences with alcohol and with the AA program. Discussion meetings involved members from the group sharing their opinions or experience on a topic or problem suggested by the group. Scope of topics was extremely broad.
In deference to the principles of anonymity subscribed to by AA, we did not take notes of any kind while the meeting was in progress. After the meeting ended, we recorded our impressions and thoughts on what had transpired.

Urban Neighborhood Walkthrough
In order to gather information on the prevalence of alcohol and drugs in urban communities we initiated a walkthrough of several neighborhoods in the city of interest. There were two primary criteria for selecting an area for the walkthrough. The first was the presence of public schools. The area examined contained four pubic schools, two High Schools and two Elementary Schools. The second was the presence of a mixture of residential and commercial areas within the area. The area examined was primarily residential, but contained three larger thoroughfares that were heavily commercial.
For the walkthrough itself we traveled the selected area on foot, following roads. All street areas were covered; however areas off the street were not seen in details. Additionally, we did not enter any businesses or residences in the examined area, but focused exclusively on exterior areas. Our primary purpose during the walkthrough was to examine and map the number of liquor stores, bars, clubs and other establishments that served alcohol. We also made a note of schools and other institutions that related to the topic area. Additionally, we made general notes and observations about the area during the walkthrough.