Data Collecting Methods: Getting Down To Basics

Welcome to Data Collection Methods: Getting Down to Basics, an online workshop sponsored by Connecticut’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and CSAP's Northeast Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). This exciting new course is intended to help people understand how they can identify and collect the data that will enable them to design, implement, and evaluate effective prevention activities.

As a participant in this event, you will have an opportunity to explore the following:

How data can help you improve your prevention activities and mobilize support for your program
How to mine existing data sources-both local and national-to better understand your community's drug and alcohol problem
How to collect new data (e.g., by defining a target group, writing and/or locating useful questions, implementing a data collection effort that yields quality information)
How to choose among the following data collection methods: surveys, focus groups, and key informant interviews

This course allows you to meet other practitioners in an innovative, online forum. You will participate in moderated Web-based discussions, where you can exchange ideas and learn from your colleagues in the field. You will also participate in online activities that let you immediately apply what you have learned.

Some of the material in this course relies heavily on materials developed by Wayne Harding, Michele Cummins, and Scott Formica of Social Science Research and Evaluation, Inc., who function as the evaluation team for CSAP's Northeast CAPT. Other material used in this course was adapted from online courses developed by CSAP's Northeast CAPT and the U.S. Department of Education's National Coordinator Training and Technical Assistance Center.

Data Collection Methods: Getting Down to Basics is part of a series of courses developed by CSAP's Northeast CAPT to address issues related to program evaluation. For information on related courses, contact Melanie Adler at madler@edc.org.

To begin this online event, please proceed to Getting Started.