Using Public Records and Archival Data Copyright 2014
Using Public Records and Archival Data Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
What are public records and archival data? Public records of a public entity that are available to the public by law. Archive a storehouse - literal and/or electronic - of print and other material that has been kept to preserve the history of the body or place they relate to. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Why use public records and archival data? • They're relatively easy for most people to gain access to. • They can give you information about the history or status of the community that it would be difficult to get elsewhere. • They often make comparisons of your community with others. • They help you use your time efficiently. • Their information may keep you from making important mistakes. • They're part of an information package that will give you the most accurate and complete picture of the aspects of the community that you're concerned with. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Who should use public records and archival data, and when? • Any group or individual involved in community assessment • Community activists wanting to understand their issue better and support their arguments with accurate facts and figures. • Community historians needing a picture not only of the "objective" history of the community, but also of the human history. • Health and human service organizations needing information about the current state of the community, its past history with particular issues, and previous prevention efforts or solutions. • Public officials and other policy makers engaged in community assessment or in trying to determine policy on a particular issue. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How do you use public records and archival data? • Determine what type of information you need: history, demographic, health-related, economic, housing, land use and development, etc. • Determine where to find the information: census data, federal, state, or local records, federal, state, or local archives, or the archives of media, libraries, museums, universities, and other institutions and organizations. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Use the information intelligently: • Don't swamp yourself with information. • Use community-level indicators to tell you more about the reality of the community's circumstances. • Examine the social determinants of issues. • Use comparisons with similar communities where you can to understand whether the issues in your community are exceptional. • Think about the different ways you can find out what you want to know. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
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