Using the Social Indicators Collection Table

Exhibit 2.4: Collecting Social Indicators: An Example illustrates a hypothetical example in which a program wants to collect social indicators regarding the risk factor “alcohol availability.” Their research objective is “to determine ease of access to alcohol in neighborhood.” To make this determination, they identified three potential archival social indicators.

First, they want to compare the density of retail alcohol outlets in their neighborhood with the density of retail alcohol outlets in the city. Second, they want to identify the number of alcohol-related arrests in their neighborhood and compare that with the city. Third, they want to identify the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities in the neighborhood and compare that with the rest of the city.

They have identified one area of potential original research: to conduct a survey of retail alcohol outlets to determine whether retail outlets in their neighborhood sell fortified wine, which is known to be purchased primarily by problem drinkers who congregate outdoors. In addition, they have identified potential sources of data, which includes their regional alcohol licensing agency, the police department, and the health department. Again, we urge you to closely examine the State of Montana Drug and Alcohol Prevention Risk and Protective Factor Report System, which illustrates the specific departments and sources of their social indicator data.