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Target Groups and Sampling

Select each chain link to learn more

1

Defining
the Question
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Defining the Question

The very first link in the data chain is to correctly define the question we want our data to answer—that is, what are we trying to measure?

Go to Section 1: Defining the Question

2

Designing a
Measurement Strategy
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Designing a Measurement Strategy

The second link in the data chain is to create a data collection and measurement strategy that fits our question.

3

Target Groups
and Sampling
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Target Groups and Sampling

The third link in the chain is to identify the population—that is, the target group—we want to measure and make sure that the population we are measuring is actually the population we want to measure. Sampling is always a crucial issue, whether we are taking a subset of our target group or attempting a census—that is, trying to contact everyone in our target group. If our sample differs from the larger group of people we want to say something about, then the answers we get from our data will not be true about the larger group.

Go to Section 2: Designing a Measurement Strategy

4

Collection
and Entry
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Collection and Entry

Once we establish the sample, we must collect and enter the data. Accurate data collection and entry are extremely important. Poor data entry or missing data can generate flawed results.

Go to Section 4: Collection and Entry

5

Preparation
and Analysis
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Preparation and Analysis

Staff must prepare data they gather from multiple sources for analysis. This preparation includes making sure categories, names, and formats are standard across data sets from different sources. Preparation also involves dealing with missing and duplicate data and merging or extracting groups of records to preserve confidentiality.

Once staff have prepared the data, there are many decisions they need to make related to analyzing the data. For example, they need to decide.

  • what kind of analysis will give the desired results;
  • how they should define data elements;
  • when and how they should calculate new variables;
  • what thresholds they should use to put individuals into categories; and
  • should they express their results as totals or percentages?

Go to Section 5: Preparation and Analysis

6

Interpretation
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Interpretation

The other links in the data chain predetermine interpretation of the data. For example, if we have designed our data chain so that it can answer a question about comparisons between groups, then we can interpret what it says about comparisons between groups—otherwise, we can’t.

Go to Section 6: Interpretation

7

Dissemination
and Use
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Dissemination and Use

Data dissemination includes both distribution and data visualization; the data must be sent out into the world and in a format that honestly represents the meaning of the result and is accessible to the end users.

Go to Section 7: Dissemination and Use

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