Improving data utilization: the case-wise alternative |
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Authors: | Ronald D Brunner J Samuel Fitch Janet Grassia Lyn Kathlene Kenneth R Hammond |
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Institution: | (1) Center for Public Policy Research, University of Colorado, Campus Box 330, 80309 Boulder, Colorado, USA |
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Abstract: | Both research and practical experience suggest that alternative forms of data analysis and presentation may affect their use
in the policy arena. The variable-wise alternative produces estimates of population parameters through conventional statistical
techniques. The case-wise alternative defines and identifies qualitatively distinct types of cases through techniques of numerical
taxonomy. In the experiment reported here, variable-wise and case-wise presentations of Census data on poverty were used to
compare the effects of the alternatives on policy makers in a priority-setting task. The results show that the case-wise alternative
can improve utilization, assimilation, recall, and recognition of the data. Under the circumstances examined here, the case-wise
alternative is a practical means of increasing the return on the public's investment in data resources to improve policy decisions. |
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