A Community Structure Approach to Data Collection and Recommendations for Use of Data Banks
Andrew J. Sofranko, William M. Bridgeland · Community Development · 1972
This paper addresses some limitations of current data bank operations. By focusing on the community, the authors attempt to show that knowledge of community structure, operationalized almost entirely by means of currently available data, is quite useful for understanding community participation, decision-making, innovativeness, and other types of community behavior. Arguing that data collection systems should go beyond the mere dissemination of descriptive items, the authors suggest that an instructional function be incorporated into data bank operations. Several recommendations along these lines are suggested. Illustrations of the points raised are made by reference to research and data available on community structure and on the relationship of community structure to community behavior.