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Course Description:

This course presents information designed to help community indicator researchers (and those who are stepping into this position) enhance their professional knowledge of the subject matter and become certified as Community Indicator Researchers by ISQOLS (upon successfully passing an exam). The course contains five modules (chapters).

The first module (Chapter 1) discusses the theoretical foundations of community indicators research. Five theoretical concepts are described guiding the formulation of community indicator projects. The second module (Chapter 2) provides an example of a community indicators project as an illustration of the entire process without delving too much into details. The third module (Chapter 3) describes the planning process: how to identify sponsors, secure funding, develop an organizational structure, select a quality-of-life model, select indicators, and so on. The fourth module (Chapter 4) focuses on data collection. Two types of data collection are secondary and primary data collection. The process of these two data collections are described in some detail.

Finally, the last module (Chapter 5) describes the last stage of the project, namely dissemination and promotion. Specifically, the module describes how public and research reports are developed and printed, how the reports are distributed, and how the reports are promoted through a public relations campaign, E-marketing, and other forms of promotion.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Theoretical Foundations
Learning Objectives Introduction The Concept of Personal Utility The Concept of Opulence The Concept of the Just Society The Concept of Human Need Satis The Concept of Sustainability Summary Progress Check A Progress Check A Answers
Chapter 2: An Example
Learning Objectives Introduction Initiating an Indicators Project Forming an Indicators Project Cmt. Developing an Initial Set of Indicators Refining the Initial Set of Indicators Validating Objective Indicators Translating System Indicators Disseminating the Findings Summary Appendix A: Indicator Selection Quest Appendix B: Indicators/Data Sources Appendix C: Indicators and Trends Progress Check B Progress Check B Answers
Chapter 3: Planning
Learning Objectives Introduction Holding a Feasibility Meeting Developing an Org. Structure The Chair The Steering Committee Task Forces Finding an Org. Conduct Process Securing Funding Deciding on Geog. Boundaries Selecting the QOL Dimensions Criteria for Indicators Process for Selecting Ind. An Optimal # of Indicators Considering Subjective Indicators Developing a Budget Summary Progress Check C Progress Check C Answers
Chapter 4: Data Collection
Learning Objectives Secondary Data Dealing w/Time Element Manipulating the Data Primary Data Goals Associated with Survey Survey Questionnaire Sampling/Data Collection Method Validating the Measures Weighting Sample Summary Progress Check D Progress Check D Answers
Chapter 5: Dissemination and Promotion
Learning Objectives Introduction Preparing the Indicators Report The Public Report The Research Report Printing the Reports Distributing the Reports Promoting the Reports Public Relations E-Marketing Other Forms of Promotion Stimulating Community Action Translating Outcome Ind. Annual Reviews and Follow-Up Measuring Impact of Ind. Reports Summary Progress Check E Progress Check E Answers
Appendix: Bibliographic Resources
Publications Web Sites of Community Ind. Projects Towns, Cities, and Counties Regions States and Provinces Other Web Resources In-house Publications