Introduction

Sources of
available
data

Analyzing
available
records

Secondary
analyses

Content
analysis

Strengths & limitations
of available
data

Social
indicators

Aids

Chapter 12. Using Available Data

Introduction

The previous three chapters described how to conduct an experiment and how to prepare for and conduct a survey. Both methods depend on interaction with people. In this chapter we show how research can be done without contact with anyone, simply by using data that is already available. Many kinds of available data exist in every country. These include:

• Social statistics published by government ministries, bodies of the United Nations, the World Bank, and other international organizations;
• Data collected in previous surveys and other studies; and
• Information that can be extracted from newspaper or magazine articles, books, diaries television shows, folk tales, and other sources.

Some form of available data is used as background information in nearly every study. Available data frequently are used in selecting a problem and in establishing its importance. Data on the extent of drought in western Kordafan in the Sudan, for example, led Rahama (1997) to investigate survival strategies used by households and the effects of changes on the roles of males and females that occurred. In the design of a sample, census or other statistical data are needed. Available data are also used in interpreting the results of an investigation. Thus, almost any study you do will involve the use of available data.

In addition, many studies are based solely on further analysis of data collected and made available by various ministries of government. Some examples follow:

• A study of changes in ages at marriage in northern Sudan, based on data from official marriage records (Omer, 1991).
• Investigation of differences in fertility levels among women of different ethnic groups in the Gezira region of the Sudan (Abdelrahman, 1995).
• Examination of the changing rates of female enrollment relative to males in Sudan; based on data from the Ministry of Education (Badri and Burchinal, 1985).

Researchers also base investigations on data collected and published by international organizations. Following are three examples of research based on data from international sources:

• How the spread of mass primary education in 23 countries of sub-Saharan Africa is contributing to declining fertility rates (Lloyd, Kauffman and Hewett, 2000).
• How fulfillment of social needs is lagging behind substantial gains in economic development in 83 developing counties (Bulluck, 1986).
• Whether social change is contributing to increased crime in African countries (Arthur, 1988); the author found little support for this hypothesis.