100 FIVE Using local administrative data to evaluate social and community cohesion John Eversley and Les Mayhew introduction This book argues that an analysis of social cohesion needs to focus on whether people from different backgrounds have similar life opportunities as well as assessing interaction, interdependence and conflicts of interests of people from different backgrounds. Whatever the vision of a cohesive society is, there are important questions to answer about where we stand now, and how we can measure change. This chapter focuses on the
23 2 The creation and use of big administrative data Harvey Goldstein and Ruth Gilbert Introduction Despite being ugly and uninformative, the term ‘big data’ has entered the language of science as well as that of the media. The meaning of ‘big’ data is explored in the introduction to this book. This chapter focuses on administrative data, meaning data related to services such as health and education, which are attached to individual people and are generated through the administration of services in the public or private sector. We are especially concerned
Key messages Administrative data offered Women’s Aid a timely and ethical approach to understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with minimal impact on survivors or the services that support them. The nature of administrative data creates unique challenges for researchers as well as opportunities for relevant, impactful research. More resources, collaboration and research are needed to understand administrative data sources held by NGOs. Introduction Administrative data are collected through routine operations rather than originating for
233 Journal of Gender-Based Violence • vol 3 • no 2 • 233–248 • © Centre for Gender and Violence Research 2019 University of Bristol 2019 • Print ISSN 2398-6808 • Online ISSN 2398-6816 https://doi.org/10.1332/239868019X15538575149704 article Women on the move: administrative data as a safe way to research hidden domestic violence journeys Janet Christine Bowstead, janet.bowstead@rhul.ac.uk Royal Holloway University of London, UK Domestic violence against women is a significant social issue within the United Kingdom, across Europe and globally. However, it is
think about whether the powerful combination of survey and administrative register data that is readily available in the Nordic countries might help them to advance our knowledge about the possible benefits of volunteering. Further reading • Connelly and colleagues (2016) provide a timely discussion of the role of administrative data in social science research and put its use into perspective by comparing it to other types of big data. • A detailed introduction to Danish administrative registers on health and social issues is available, thanks to Thygesen
change in these odds over time. Individuals with higher childhood SES, higher childhood cognitive ability, and more education may be more likely to be economically active in later life (age 55), but may also be more resilient to declines in working ability as age increases. Importantly, we did not assume that the factors predicting economic activity odds at age 55 would be the same as those predicting change in odds over time. To achieve this, we utilised recent linkage of administrative data between the Scottish Mental Survey 1947 and the Scottish Longitudinal Study
Statistical data and evidence-based claims are increasingly central to our everyday lives. Critically examining ‘Big Data’, this book charts the recent explosion in sources of data, including those precipitated by global developments and technological change. It sets out changes and controversies related to data harvesting and construction, dissemination and data analytics by a range of private, governmental and social organisations in multiple settings.
Analysing the power of data to shape political debate, the presentation of ideas to us by the media, and issues surrounding data ownership and access, the authors suggest how data can be used to uncover injustices and to advance social progress.
Available Open Access under CC-BY-NC licence.
The extent of violence against women is currently hidden. How should violence be measured? How should research and new ways of thinking about violence improve its measurement? Could improved measurement change policy?
The book is a guide to how the measurement of violence can be best achieved. It shows how to make femicide, rape, domestic violence, and FGM visible in official statistics. It offers practical guidance on definitions, indicators and coordination mechanisms. It reflects on theoretical debates on ‘what is gender’, ‘what is violence’, and ‘the concept of coercive control’. and introduces the concept of ‘gender saturated context’. Analysing the socially constructed nature of statistics and the links between knowledge and power, it sets new standards and guidelines to influence the measurement of violence in the coming decades.
This book makes a forthright case for a shift in policy focus from ‘community cohesion’ to the broader notion of social cohesion, and is distinctive and innovative in its focus on evaluation. It constitutes an extremely valuable source both for practitioners involved in social cohesion interventions and for researchers and students studying theory-based evaluation and the policy areas highlighted (housing, intergenerational issues, the recession, education, communications, community development).
The first book of its kind, this volume brings together a range of experts to review key methodological issues in the study of voluntary action, charitable behaviour and participation in voluntary organisations.
Using case studies from around the world – from ethnography to media analysis and surveys to peer research – chapters illustrate the challenges of researching altruistic actions and our conceptualisations of them. Across different fields and methods, authors unpick the methodological innovations and challenges in their own research to help guide future study.
Demystifying research and deepening our ability to understand the role of the third sector, this accessible book is suitable for social researchers at all levels.
