Data are “facts or figures from which conclusions can be drawn”. Data becomes valuable when it can identify a need, expand insight or be leveraged to achieve change. Data can be used to describe what is going on or what exists or to examine relationships between different things.
While there is an abundance of data, the challenge lies in selecting and accessing the best data to meet the defined purpose of inquiry and produce an analysis that is credible and useful. Many considerations including the origin, type and quality of data, feasibility, relevance and usefulness factor into decisions about what data to select to build knowledge and address an issue.
By making data interactive and accessible, Raising the Village aims to empower users to select data that can be applied to:
Better decision-making: A primary driver for using data is to overcome the shortcomings of using anecdotes and intuition for decision-making. Good quality data that is reliable and valid builds credibility and a stronger basis for understanding need. Data helps test assumptions, identify root causes and choose actions.
Data for Equity: A key priority is to use data to support equitable resourcing and opportunity for children and families that may face barriers related to their identities and/or circumstances. Disaggregating data by neighbourhoods or demographic characteristics can identify inequities and motivate action planning.
There are different types of data and knowledge sources. These include population data such as the Census, community knowledge about the local context and issues, administrative and program data about service utilization and participant outcomes and research and literature.
Each type of data source has a focus, strengths and limitations
Data sources should be assessed for quality and accuracy
Using multiple data sources helps understand the problem/issue or possible actions
Users need to be cautious in making cause-effect claims based on descriptive analysis: causal analysis would require in-depth statistical analysis
Users need to consider ethics and be responsible including:
Being transparent about data selection, collection and analysis and limitations
Making efforts to address potential bias and limitations where possible such as by collecting additional information to address data gaps where feasible
Ensuring informed consent and privacy and confidentiality of personal information
Being inclusive and respectful of those that are the focus of inquiry
Data sources for Raising the Village include a description of their strengths and limitations.
A community planning table wants to identify an area to focus on in a neighbourhood in order to develop a collective action project that will improve the rights and opportunities outcome for children 0-12 years
Data Accessed: Neighbourhood Comparison Dashboard; Child and Family Inequities Score; Outcomes for Rights and Opportunities; Equity Analysis Toolkit; Child and Family Services Map
How to get information about the issue:
Advocate for increased public funding for programming to support 6-12 year-olds in partnership with the three local schools
Conduct consultation with families with children 6 to 12 years old in the south area of the neighhourhood including specific outreach to low income, Black and Southeast Asian populations to identify needs and the barriers that prevent participation in sports programs
Choose an issue that is interesting and a priority
Frame and focus your work by developing a clear and specific issue statement: Start out with general exploration of your topic and narrow it to a clear statement before you start any planning for action. State what you want to address so that everyone understands and there is no ambiguity. Re-state and focus your issue statement at different points in the data-to-action process, if needed, based on findings.
Draw a diagram to connect the issue, data and links to action. This diagram can take the form of a logic model or mind map.
Download maps and data views: Use the download feature to keep track of the data you need from the website. These visuals can also be used to start conversations with your data and action partners.
Use primary data collection: You may need to collect additional data to understand the local context and needs. Here is a list of options for primary data collection:
Survey of families/children/staff/community members/leaders
Interviews/focus groups targetted with specific populations
Consultation with community, neighbourhood and individuals
Program document/records review
Evaluation or service data
Whose support do you need to gain insight and traction for defining and addressing the issue?
Who is affected by the issue? Are there people that have knowledge, power, skills or expertise who can help clarify and understand the issue? A subject expert? A person with influence? A community leader or partner? A person with lived experience? A strong communicator?
Are there people that have experience addressing this issue that you could learn from? Children and families? Program staff? Community partners? Program decision-makers? System leaders/government partners?
Engage others and share your findings to build a full picture of the issue and to assess the feasibility of actions