Community needs assessments and community-related databases are not new. Other colleges and universities across the country have pioneered their own assessments and databases, each with their own merits and drawbacks. The following examples clearly show there is an interest in measuring and reporting data on state and local populations to inform community researchers, educators, and practitioners alike. To get a sense of the variety of existing survey and database initiatives, check out the following:
- Oregon State University – Extension
- Provides Regional Profiles and uses a dynamic mapping database called the Communities Reporter Tool
- University of Missouri – Center for Applied Research and Environmental Systems (CARES)
- Developed the Missouri Map Room with the organization Community Commons
- University of Kansas – Institute for Policy and Social Research
- Provides County Profiles, exports data visuals with the Data Archive, and displays pre-made data visuals with the Business & Industry Data Center
- Michigan State University – Institute for Public Policy and Social Research
- Conducts State of State Survey (SOSS) phone survey 2-4 times a year with core questions and custom, user-defined and purchased questions and makes the data public after 6 months
- University of Michigan – Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP)
- Conducts the Michigan Public Policy Survey and Michigan Policy Insiders Panel to gauge the priorities and decision-making of local and state officials
- Connects CLOSUP activities and data to classroom teaching and learning
- Muhlenberg College – Polling Institute
- Conducts the Pennsylvania Quality of Life survey and several topic-specific Public Policy surveys
- University of Pittsburgh – Urban and Regional Analysis
- Partners with Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh to manage the Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center
- Aggregates and displays datasets collected by partners and other agencies, institutions, and non-profit organizations
- Maps data from the U.S. Census and Bureau of Labor Statistics with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Community Profiles tool
Some merits of these examples include:
- The ability to generate simple data tables and graphs;
- Displaying data with dynamic maps and interfaces; and
- Aggregating multiple local, state, and national datasets from different government and non-government sources.
Some drawbacks of these examples include:
- Relying solely on U.S. Census and other natinally collected data that tends to focus on socio-economic and demographic data only;
- Novel data that is collected may not always be consistent in content, population coverage, or collection frequency;
- Novel datasets tend to draw from smaller samples that are generalizable to the state level only; and
- The connections between these survey research initiatives and their larger institutional, local, and statewide partners are not always clear.
The CARES Survey and Database can seek to capitalize on these examples’ strengths and innovate to overcome their weaknesses. Specifically, there is an opportunity to collect thorough, novel data that is generalizable to local populations all across the state. It is important to conduct routine surveys to measure new and core questions over time. There may be opportunities to sponsor survey sections/items to help fund the costs of distribution and maintenance. There may also be an opportunity for Penn State and other institutions of higher education to collaborate rather than compete with one another. Together, universities and colleges across Pennsylvania could share the costs and reap the mutual benefits of routine, statewide data collection. Some of the examples were initially funded through grants, and this may be required for the CARES project too, but a clear financial model will be necessary to ensure long-term sustainability.