In recent decades, social work and other social science research disciplines have become increasingly reliant on large secondary data sets, which have increased in both number and accessibility. When starting a new research project, how does one determine whether to use a secondary data set? Which of the thousands available should be used? This invaluable and expertly written guide provides an in-depth introduction to 29 of the most widely used data sets in social work, such as the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and the U.S. Census. This book also examines the years covered by these cross-sectional and longitudinal data sets, the units of analysis, and the sample sizes.Readers will learn where to find the data and the key variables contained within, and how to use them in SAS and Stata. Screen shots guide researchers through data sets in a step-by-step process: how to download the data, how to merge it with other data sets, and how to program it when necessary. Each section also profiles studies that have used the respective data sets, giving researchers a clear feel for the depth and range of questions that a given data source can be used to answer, like the use of government data to explore issues ranging from pathways out of poverty to the relationship between marital dissolution and women's health and well-being. Exceptionally well calibrated and filled with real-world examples, this pocket guide will give beginning and advanced researchers a comprehensive understanding of these data sets that they can use in their research on clinical, policy, and other types studies.
Author(s): Thomas P. Vartanian
Edition: 1
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Year: 2010
Language: English
Pages: 225
Contents......Page 8
1 Introduction......Page 12
2 What is a Secondary Data Set?......Page 18
Advantages of Secondary Data......Page 22
Disadvantages to Secondary Data......Page 24
Determining the Feasibility and Appropriateness of Using Secondary Data......Page 26
4 Secondary Datasets......Page 32
Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System......Page 35
Child Neglect: Cross Sector Service Path and Outcomes......Page 37
Common Core of Data......Page 39
Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals......Page 44
Current Population Survey......Page 47
Developmental Victimization Survey......Page 49
Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey......Page 53
Fragile Family and Child Well-Being Study......Page 58
General Social Survey......Page 61
Health and Retirement Study......Page 65
Longitudinal Studies Of Child Abuse and Neglect......Page 68
National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System......Page 72
National Educational Longitudinal Survey......Page 75
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey......Page 83
The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health......Page 86
National Longitudinal Surveys......Page 89
National Medical Expenditure Survey/Medical Expenditure Panel Survey......Page 95
National Survey of American Families......Page 98
National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being......Page 102
NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development......Page 105
The Panel Study of Income Dynamics......Page 107
Panel Study of Income Dynamics, Child Development Supplement......Page 114
Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods......Page 119
Public-Use Microdata Samples......Page 123
School Data Direct......Page 127
Survey of Income and Program Participation......Page 132
Survey of Program Dynamics......Page 136
United States Census......Page 140
Welfare, Children, and Families: A Three City Study......Page 145
Appendix Tables......Page 154
Glossary......Page 182
References......Page 185
C......Page 218
F......Page 219
N......Page 220
P......Page 222
S......Page 223
W......Page 225
