Class 4: Capacities & needs Assessment Continued — Sources of Data UTA SSW, SOCW 6371 Community & Administrative Practice UTA school of social work Dr. Dick Schoech Copyright 2009 (permission required before use) Suggest printing slides for class using: Print | Handouts | 3 slides per page | grayscale options

Summary of Classes Class 2: Key theories, perspectives, values Class 3: Problem definition, theories of need 4. Capacities and needs assessment Next week: Evidence based interventions and logic models

Learning Objectives of Class Learn data sources Learn collection methods advantages/disadvantages of each Learn about data analysis in CAP environment Learn the logic of presenting data Learn other ways of presenting data §

Need Types Normative = compared to standards (poverty rate) Perceived/Felt = What people say, e.g., expert opinion Expressed = squeaky wheel, e.g., waiting lists, unemployment rate, public forums, surveys Relative = compared to similar situations, concern is equity, (infant mortality rate)

Sources of Data Primary (you collect for current purpose) Experts Key informants Citizens/consumers Secondary (others collected for other purposes) Census bureau Research studies Agency reports United Way assessment reports http://www3.uta.edu/sswtech/6371/data.htm §

Methods of Data Collection Surveys Public forums Interviews Document analysis Observation Group process (focus groups) §

Surveys (household, consumer, etc) advantages disadvantages Experience required Time consuming Requires a pretest Return or missing rate Sample size vs. accuracy § Targeted High validity/reliability Many analysis tools (stats) Cost effective (sampling) Online options are possible

Public Forums advantages disadvantages Easy to set up Gives all the opportunity to participate High validity CYA (covers your a!!) Hard to control Can be dominated by a few Hard to summarize results May not be reliable (hard to replicate) §

Interviews advantages disadvantages Easy to conduct Can discover political realities Delphi technique is useful Can get ‘off the record’ information High validity/reliability Can explore answers Can get capacities via stories & histories Hidden agendas Hard to summarize Can be biased by who is interviewed §

Document Analysis advantages disadvantages Readily available information Inexpensive High reliability Analysis tools exist Can get at capacities via histories Hard to analyze Hard to summarize Moderate validity because you can not always find documents on topic §

Observation advantages disadvantages Inexpensive Hard to analyze High validity Gives information on the context Hard to analyze Hard to summarize May be biased due to values of the designer/ observer Moderate/low reliable (hard to replicate) §

Group Process (Focus Groups) advantages disadvantages Detailed analysis Quick Can use techniques as brainstorming & Nominal group Online techniques are available, e.g., Listservs, chat rooms Requires experience Requires planning Hard to get diversity Difficult to summarize §

Data Analysis/Presentation Principles Principles when presenting data to the public: Minimum data collection, maximum analysis KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)‏ Distinguish between data and interpretation of data Use simple along with complex stats, e.g., totals and average, percents, etc. Remember a picture is worth a 1000 words Assume a 6th grade reading level for public

Data Presentation Techniques Know your audience (researchers vs. program people)‏ Use executive summaries (assume multiple readers)‏ Use indicators, norms, or standards Use graphics (Excel charting feature is great)‏ Use geographic Information Systems (GIS) help Use tables and figures Put data in appendices unless needed to understand text §

Politics of Data Collection Your sanction helps in collecting data Primary data is a heavy burden on collectors Use incentives/payoffs for those providing data Secondary data usually easy to obtain The Internet is the first place to search Beware of biases and personal agendas §

Conclusion Data is best for identifying need Stories, histories, etc. best for identifying capacities People know their needs but cannot help with solutions Data presentation should be logical & understandable Minimum data collection, maximum use Assessment should present a picture/tell a story Credibility is hard to regain--get 2nd opinion to avoid misinterpretation §