Introduction to Plan Making and Implementation Flashcards
Plan making is a three-part process, according to The Practice of Local Government Planning
- Goals and visions;
- Analysis of current problems; and
- Creation and evaluation of alternatives.
survey
Research method that allows one to collect data on a topic that cannot be directly observed, such as opinions on downtown retailing opportunities. Gaging preferences and attitudes
sampling frame
Population of interest
cross-sectional
Gathers information about a population at a single point in time. For example, planners might conduct a survey on how parents feel about the quality of recreation facilities as of today.
longitudinal surveys
Some cities conduct a citizen survey of service satisfaction every couple of years. This data can be combined to compare the differences in satisfaction between 1995 and 2005.
Written surveys
Mailed, printed in a newspaper, or administered in a group setting. Written surveys are very popular when a planner is trying to obtain information from a broad audience, such as general opinions about the community.
Group-administered surveys
Appropriate when there is a specific population that a planner is trying to target. example would be to survey participants in recreation programming by asking each person to complete a survey at the end of class.
Drop-off survey
The survey to be dropped off at someone’s residence or business.
Oral surveys
Administered on the phone or in person.
Phone surveys
Useful when you need yes/no answers.
Online surveys
These can be administered on a website, e-mail, or text message.
sample design
The sample should represent the population about which information is being gathered.
probability sampling
There is a direct mathematical relation between the sample and the population, so that precise conclusions can be drawn.
random samples
Where everyone has the same chance of being selected to participate in the survey
stratified samples
The total population is divided into smaller groups or strata to complete the sampling process. Example: age ranges.
cluster samples
Special form of stratified sampling, where a specific target group out of the general population is sampled from, such as the elderly, or residents of a specific neighborhood.
non-probability sampling
There is no precise connection between the sample and the population, so that the results have to be interpreted with caution since they are not necessarily representative of the population.
convenience sample
Individuals that are readily available
snowball sample
Where one interviewed person suggests other potential interviewees
volunteer sample
Consists of self-selected respondents
volunteered geographic information
When participants enter information on a web map
Types of non-probability sampling
convenience sample
snowball sample
volunteer sample
volunteered geographic information
Types of probability sampling
random samples
systematic samples
stratified samples
cluster samples
three important steps in the statistical process
1) collect data
2) describe and summarize
3) interpret