Research + Assessment Methods

Question 1

Population Projection vs. Population Forecasts

Answer 1

Projections are calculated trendlines that require mathematical analysis.

Forecasts are subjective and take projections into account but add knowledge of an impactful event.

i.e.: The population is expected to decrease (projection) but the City just landed a new major employer and we should expect to see a population growth (forecast).

Question 2

Confidence Interval

Answer 2

The range in which the parameter (i.e. mean, variance, etc.) is likely to be found, with a certain probability (i.e. 95%, 99%, etc.). In other words - the likelihood that parameter of your sample data is representative of the true parameter of the actual target population, to a certain degree of confidence.

Confidence intervals determine z-value: 95% = 1.96 z-score

Question 3

Ladder of Citizen Participation

which Planning Theory is this associated with?

Answer 3

c. Sherry R. Arnstein - Advocacy Planning
(recommendation: look up image of Ladder of Citizen Participation) A hierarchy of participation efforts that increase from (1) manipulation; (2) therapy; (3) informing; (4) consultation; (5) placation; (6) partnership; (7) delegated power; (8) citizen control. APA would prefer we practice between #6 - #8.

Question 4

Low vs. High Standard Deviation

Answer 4

Low Standard Deviation: Data is clustered around mean. (visual - tighter bell curve and data is near center/mean)

High Standard Deviation: Data is more spread out from mean. (visual - wider bell curve as data is more spread out from the center/mean)

Question 5

Alinsky’s Organizations

which Planning Theory is this associated with?

Answer 5

c. Saul Alinksy

Ways to organize people at the local level + recruit local leaders. Associated with Advocacy Planning.

Organizer enters neighborhood:

(1) identifies problem
(2) develops citizen awareness
(3) creates action

Question 6

Delphi Method

Answer 6

Process to arrive at a group decision by surveying a panel of experts through multiple rounds of questionnaires:

(1) Present problem, organize experts into groups to provide opinions.
(2) Present summary of all opinions.
(3) Experts return to groups + are expected to alter their opinions with the information from other groups.
(4) Conduct this process for several rounds to arrive to a consensus.

Question 7

Advocacy Planning

Answer 7

c. 1960s - Paul Davidoff

Pluralistic + inclusive planning theory.

Planner seek to represent the interests of various groups within society.

Question 8

Shift Share Analysis

Answer 8

Determines what portions of economic growth/decline can be attributed to national, economic industry, and/or regional factors. Regional change consists of the following three (3) components:

(1) National Growth Effect (i.e. US Economy) - portion of the change attributed to the total growth of the national economy
(2) Industry Mix Effect (i.e. Specific National Sector like ‘national lumber production’) - portion of the change attributed to the performance of the specific economic industry
(3) Local Share Effect (i.e. Regional Sector like ‘City A’s lumber production’) - portion of the change attributed to regional influences

These data points create an image that shows how a local economic sector is performing when compared to the national economy + national economic sector performances (is it performing better or worse?).

Question 9

Types of GIS Maps

Answer 9

(1) Cartographic
(2) Service Area Analysis
(3) Land Use Plan (yellow = residential; red = commercial; purple = industrial; blue = institutional/public)

Question 10

APA’s Communication Guide

Sec. 4.3 - Social Media

Answer 10

It is recommended that each office/municipality engaging in social media must:

• use social media to promote planning
• abide by Open Meetings Act
• develop a strong social media guideline (public record, when to post, how/when to comment)
• leverage experience of APA + other planning organizations