it always begins with a story… how to (and why) work collaboratively with administrative data
TRANSCRIPT
It always begins with a story…
How to (and why) work collaboratively with administrative data
The truth about stories…
• We are story tellers
• The language we use should align with the language of those we want to influence
• The language of policy is numbers:
translation
• Vulnerable organizations
What data is “out there”? Held by different government agencies
Each have rules related to stewardship
The paradox• How to identify those living in marginalized circumstances in
datasets: SES, ethnicity
• Rural and remote communities’ reality are swallowed by urban numbers
• Datasets not designed to answer research questions
• Small samples mean high level analyses
• Risk: essentializing, distorting, reducing…
Many breakfast meetings…
• Long term relationships
• Continuous informal discussions (stories)
• Policy vigilance
• Translation of stories into policy relevant research questions
The possible, the likely and the potential
• Planning stage• Conceptual work• Data extraction • Analysis plan• Review of findings • Crafting of the “story” (reporting)
Supporting participation• Staff position within the organization
• Purchased time on Board meeting agenda
• Assisting with fact sheets, resolutions, summaries
• Facilitating partnerships
• Community organizations telling their own story at conferences
Beyond academic expertitis…
• Multiple forms of expertise
• Multiple messages to be carried forward
• Being continuously alert to concerns: risk, fear, inaccessible language, relevance
• Multiple opportunities for collaboration
• Valuing and integrating the knowledge contributed
• Partial stories best woven with qualitative and other data