WVDHHR > Center for Local Health > Data and QI > Community Health Assessment > Primary Data Collection Resources

Primary Data Collection Resources

Primary data are an improtant part of community health assessment. These data can fill in gaps in secondary data sources, highlight critical issues or concerns, and provide opportunities for community members to actively engage in the community health assessment process (Listening to the Community). There are a number of different ways to collect primary data, such as focus groups, key informant interviews, and community surveys, among others. Public Health Accreditation Board standards for local health departments related to primary data include measures 1.1.2 T/L and 1.2.3 A. Resources related to general primary data collection methods, focus groups, key informant interviews, and surveys are provided below.

Resource	Topic	Description
Listening to the Community's Input: A Guide to Primary Data Collection	Data Collection	Addresses the important role of primary data in community health assessments, and provides guidance on key informant interviews, focus groups, community surveys, community forums, and direct observation.
Selecting Data Collection Methods	Data Collection	While this document was prepared for program evaluation, it provides useful information for general data collection. It also describes advantages and disadvantages associated with surveys, in-depth interviews, focus groups, observation, and document review.
Community Themes and Strengths Assessment	Data Collection	Based in the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) framework, this page contains a series of resources and examples regarding community surveys, focus groups, and data analysis.
Conducting Focus Group Interviews	Focus groups	This document, from the USAID Center for Development Information and Evaluation, provides information on the advantages, limitations, and usefulness of focus group interviews, and includes step-by-step guidance to help ensure quality data are collected.
Conducting Focus Groups	Focus groups	This website provides information on when, why, and how to conduct focus groups; in addition, the website provides links to resources on Designing and Conducting Focus Group Interviews and Guidelines for Conducting a Focus Group, which include sample questions and additional guidance.
Focus Groups for Program Evaluation	Focus groups	This brief from the CDC Evaluation and Research Team provides a basic overview of focus groups.
Conducting Key Informant Interviews	Key informant interviews	Provides an overview on advantages, limitations, and steps in conducting key informant interviews.
Key Informant Interview Example	Key informant interviews	This is an example of a key informant interview guide utilized by the Knox County Health Department. It addresses community themes and strengths.
Key Informant Interviews	Key informant interviews	Includes guidance on identifying key informants, choosing the type of interview, developing the interview tool, and conducting interviews.
Conducting Needs Assessment Surveys	Surveys	A part of the Community Tool Box, this resource comprehensively answers basic questions about needs assessment surveys: What is it? Why, when, and how should you carry out a needs assessment survey?
Conducting Surveys	Surveys	A part of the Community Tool Box, this resource contains guidance for developing, distributing, and analyzing surveys.
NACCHO Toolbox	Surveys	Collection of resources for local health department, including resources related to community surveys, such as an example health survey, quality of life survey questions, a multiple choice survey instrument, and many others. Note: You will need to create a username and password to download resources (free!)

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Primary Data Collection Resources

Resource

Topic

Description

Selecting Data Collection Methods

Community Themes and Strengths Assessment

Conducting Focus Group Interviews

Focus Groups for Program Evaluation

Conducting Key Informant Interviews

Key Informant Interview Example

Key Informant Interviews