Information Sources for SOWK 6074

1. Basic Information

1a. Name(s) of community (e.g., Southside, Watts)
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1b. Location (i.e., neighborhood, city, county, state)

Note: If the community is something other than a municipality or a county, e.g., a neighborhood, obtaining tabular data will require more work and may be impossible in some cases. See John Prechtel for an individual session.
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1c. Type of local government

Georgia.gov (Georgia government web site) http:georgia.gov
Click on 'Government', then 'Local Government', then choose 'Cities' or 'Counties'. Gives historical information, plus links to local government web sites.

GeorgiaInfo (from UGA's Carl Vinson Institute of Government). http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/contents.htm
Maps, information on government, taxation, and more.
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2. Population (1,000 - 10,000)

- Georgia Statistics System (http://www.georgiastats.uga.edu/munilist02.htm) gives a quick list of all Georgia municipalities and their population.

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov): Data Sets: Summary File 1 covers all states.
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2a. Size and mobility

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov): Data Sets: Summary File 3 "mobility" is not used. Instead look for "residence in 1995".
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2b. Age and sex distribution (e.g., number of preschoolers, children in grade school, teenagers, persons over age sixty-five)

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov): Data Sets: Summary File 1 and Summary File 3. Use Summary File 3 for "school enrollment" to get children in grade school.
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2c. Country of birth of significant groups

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov): Data Sets: Summary File 3
Note: Do not confuse "ancestry" with foreign born or country of birth.
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2d. Types of households (e.g., married couples, single parents)

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov): Data Sets: Summary File 1
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2e. Minority and ethnic groups

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov): Data Sets: Summary File 1 and Summary File 3
Note: The terms "minority" and "ethnic" or "ethnicity" are not used in AFF. Tabulations by "race" cover most of these two concepts except: "latino" or "Hispanic origin" are a category separate from race. "Ancestry" is NOT a good indicator of minority status in AFF.
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2f. Religious affiliations and traditions

- web sites, e.g. local government home page (via Georgia.gov) , or a search engine such as Google.
- personal visit to location
- phone book
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3. Sense of identity and belonging

3a. Do residents have a sense of identification with and loyalty and belonging to the community?
3b. Major reasons people want to live or remain in the area

- TV and radio stations and newspapers in community

- Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media (Main Reference desk Z6951 .A976). Use vol. 1 to find information by state and city for Georgia and other states.

- Web directories such as Kidon Media Link (http://www.kidon.com/media-link/) and US Newspaper List (http://www.usnpl.com)

- Individual research: conduct interviews
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4. History of the Area

4a. When and why was area settled or developed ?
4b. Background of those who first settled and developed area

- New Georgia Encyclopedia in GALILEO: http://www.galileo.usg.edu/express?link=ngen

- New Georgia Guide. Main Ref F284.3 .N49 1996. A one-stop source for historical information at the county level.

- Books: GIL Libraries Catalog (http://gil.uga.edu)- Go to Keyword Search. Put in town and state, e.g. Barnesville Georgia

- Georgia Room (in Hargrett Library, 3rd floor of Main Library) - access local history books and get help from Georgia experts.

- Visit the local public library's local history department:
- Georgia Public Libraries (http://www.public.lib.ga.us/)
- U.S. Public Libraries (http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Libweb/Public_main.html)
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4c. Change in population and its makeup over time

- Printed Census volumes (Main Reference, Census Collection). Use to gather data for many decennial census years.

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov): Data Sets: 1990 Summary Tape File 1 or 3. Use to just get 1990 Census data to compare with 2000 Census data.
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4d. Major events that shaped the area's development and the attitudes of residents prevailing values and beliefs

- New Georgia Guide. Main Ref F284.3 .N49 1996. A one-stop source for historical information at the county level.

- Books: GIL Libraries Catalog (http://gil.uga.edu) Go to Keyword Search. Put in town and state, e.g. Barnesville Georgia

- Georgia Room (in Hargrett Library, 3rd floor of Main Library) - access local history books

- Georgia Room Vertical Files -- collections of news clippings (ending 1998) and other information on Georgia counties and the main cities.
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5. Educational Level

5a. Median educational level of adult population

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov) Data Sets: Summary File 3. Gives educational attainment distributions not medians.
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5b. Median educational level of adult women

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov) Data Sets: Summary File 3. Gives educational attainment distributions not medians.
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5c. Median educational level of major minority and ethnic groups

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov) Data Sets: Summary File 3. Gives educational attainment distributions not medians.
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5d. School dropout rates

- Georgia Public Education Report Card (http://reportcard.gaosa.org/k12/): Select School System Reports. Select County. Within report select Indicators tab and then click on link to "Dropout rates" beneath the tab.
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6. Local Economics and Business

6a. Percentage of labor force employed and unemployed

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov): Data Sets: Summary File 3
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6b. Major industries and products

- D&B Million Dollar Database (GALILEO) (http://www.galileo.usg.edu/express?link=xdbm-uga1)

- Georgia County Guide Main Ref F284. G34 (shelved at Reference Desk)
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6c. Major employers and corporations
6d. Are major businesses locally owned or controlled by persons outside the community ?

- D&B Million Dollar Database (GALILEO) (http://www.galileo.usg.edu/express?link=xdbm-uga1)

- Georgia 2000 Information System (http://ga2000.itos.uga.edu) Users need to register to use and, if using at home, download a map viewer utility to use this system. Can see manufacturers.

- Georgia Business Directory. Main Ref HF5065. G4 G45 (shelved at Reference Desk)

- Georgia Manufacturers Register. Main Ref HD9727. G4 G43 (shelved at Reference Desk)

- Current Phonebooks - Georgia Room
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6e. Degree of unionization

- Interview business owners
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6f. Job skills required by major employers
6g. Common working hours

- Job ads in papers/online

- Interview employers/employees
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6h. Forecasts of future economic growth and job opportunity

- Economic Yearbook for Georgia's MSAs (2002 edition). Ga Room HC107 .G4 E36

- Georgia Business and Economic Conditions (quarterly publication from UGA's College of Business Administration). Main Ref HC107 .G4 A13

- Check to see if there is a local Chamber of Commerce: http://www.public.lib.ga.us/
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7. Income

7a. Median income of men
7b. Median income of women

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov): Data Sets: Summary File 3 median earnings only, no median income.
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7c. Median income of minority groups

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov): Data Sets: Summary File 3 Median Household income; median family income; median earnings
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7d. Number of persons/families below the official poverty line

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov): Data Sets: Summary File 3. Search for "poverty" not "poverty line".
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7e. Number of persons/families receiving public assistance

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov): Data Sets: Summary File 3 Some options: table P64 gives households with public assistance income; table PCT59 gives data from which you can calculate families with public assistance income; table HCT25, gives housing units with occupants receiving public assistance income.
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8. Housing

8a. Common types of housing (e.g., private homes, apartments, public housing)

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov): Data Sets: Summary File 3 look for tenure and units in structure rather than "private homes" or "apartments".
Note: In American Factfinder "units in structure" and "tenure" won't distinguish public housing; apartments are also not distinguished but can be roughly inferred from rental multi-unit structures.

- Enterprise Geographic Information Systems from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (http://hud.esri.com/egis/) Map a town and use the map legend to show various features including public housing developments.
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8b. Percentage of dwellings occupied and vacant

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov): Data Sets: Summary File 3
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8c. Percentage of dwellings overcrowded or substandard

- American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov): Data Sets: Summary File 3 Look for terms like occupants per room; plumbing facilites; age of house. "Overcrowded" and "substandard" are not used.
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9. Geography and Environmental Influence

9a. Effect of climate, mountains, valleys, lakes, and the like on transportation patterns, economic development, and population distribution

- Books (GIL)

- Maps and atlases (Main Library Reference Collection)

- Enterprise Geographic Information Systems
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9b. Effect of highway, railroads, truck routes, and other human-made barriers on neighborhoods, social interaction, and service delivery

- Georgia 2000 Information System (http://ga2000.itos.uga.edu) Users must register to use this. If using at home users also need to download a map viewer utility. Can use map legend to show transportation routes and other features.
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9c. Effect of environmental factors on current and future development (e.g., water supply, pollution, sewage treatment, sources of electricity and energy, distance from markets)

- Enterprise Geographic Information Systems from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (http://hud.esri.com/egis/). Map a town and use map legend to show environmental and flood hazards.

- Georgia 2000 Information System (http://ga2000.itos.uga.edu). Users must register to use this. If using at home users also need to download a map viewer utility. Can use map legend to show manufacturers.
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10. Information Sources

10a. Sources to which various segments of the community look for information

10b. TV and radio stations and newspapers in community

- Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media (Main Reference desk Z6951 .A976). Use vol. 1 to find information by state and city for Georgia and other states.

- Web directories such as Kidon Media Link (http://www.kidon.com/media-link/) and US Newspaper List (http://www.usnpl.com)
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10c. Leaders and spokespersons for various segments of community, including minority and ethnic groups

- Local news sources (see 10b)

- Interviews
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11. Public safety and Justice System

11a. Adequacy of police and fire protection
11b. Attitudes toward police and courts
11c. Responsiveness to concerns of minority groups

- TV and radio stations and newspapers in community:

- Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media (Main Reference desk Z6951 .A976). Use vol. 1 to find information by state and city for Georgia and other states.

- Web directories such as Kidon Media Link (http://www.kidon.com/media-link/) and US Newspaper List (http://www.usnpl.com)

- Conduct interviews with local agencies (see Georgia.gov)
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12. Educational Facilities and Programs

12a. Types of grade schools and high schools (e.g., public, private, neighborhood, magnet)

- Georgia Department of Education (http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/support/plan/nclb/ayp.asp): Select county under "System and School Contacts".

- Georgia 2000 Information System (http://ga2000.itos.uga.edu) Users must register to use this. If using at home users also need to download a map viewer utility. Can use map legend to show various schools in the town.

- Georgia Public Education Report Card (http://reportcard.gaosa.org/k12/): Select School System Reports. Select County.
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12b. Do schools have bilingual programs?
12c/d. Do schools have sufficient specialized programs and services for children with handicapping conditions?
12e. Are schools sensitive to problems and strengths of persons from minority and ethnic groups?
12f. Are minority and ethnic groups adequately represented on school staffs, school boards, and so on ?
12g. What college-level, vocational, and job-training programs are available?

- Individual research. Contact education officials, teachers, parents, conduct interviews, etc. See Georgia Department of Education website (http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/support/plan/nclb/ayp.asp): Select county under "System and School Contacts".
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13. Local Politics

13a. Form and structure of local government

- Try searching the web.

- GMA (Georgia Municipal Association) Annual Directory, 2004 (Reference Desk JS303 .G4 G42).

- The Municipal Yearbook (Reference Desk JS342 .M966) give all U.S. cities 2500+.

- Georgia County Government Yearbook (Main Reference desk JS451 .G4 G51)
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13b. Relative power of political parties

- Look at local government website: - Georgia.gov (http://www.georgia.gov). Click on Government, then Local Government, then choose your city or county for a link to their website.
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13c. Voter participation

1. Current number of registered voters by municipality or county in Georgia: (http://www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/voter_registration/statistics.htm).

2. Voter participation rate (percentage of registered "active" voters who actually voted in last general election, 2002) for an entire county only: Georgia Statistics System: County Demographic Profiles (http://www.georgiastats.uga.edu/sumsheet1.html).

3. Percentage of total voting age population in a county who voted in 2000 Presidential election: First retrieve Election results for president in 2000 by county (also by precinct if desired): (http://www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/election_results/default.htm. Then retrieve the 2000 Census 18+ population for the county at American Factfinder: Data Sets: Census 2000 Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171): select quicktables. Then divide votes cast by total 18+ population and multiply by 100.
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13d. Current issues and controversies

- TV and radio stations and newspapers in community:

- Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media (Main Reference desk Z6951 .A976). Use vol. 1 to find information by state and city for Georgia and other states.

- Web directories such as Kidon Media Link (http://www.kidon.com/media-link/) and US Newspaper List (http://www.usnpl.com)
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13e. Types of taxes used to generate public funds

Taxes are not readily available tabulated by cities, but rather by counties.

- See the Georgia Department of Revenue 2003 Statistical Report (table 13) (http://www2.state.ga.us/departments/dor/gaforms/publica.shtml) for a tabulation of some local taxes and the amounts distributed to counties.

-Contacting local city halls might provide additional local information.
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14. Health and Welfare Service System

14a. Major providers of health services (e.g., hospitals, public health facilities, private clinics)

- Local phone book. (The sources below do not cover every type of health care facility, but may also be useful.)

- Georgia 2000 Information System (http://ga2000.itos.uga.edu). Users must register to use this. If using at home users also need to download a map viewer utility. Can use map legend to show hospitals and various care facilities.

- Enterprise Geographic Information Systems from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (http://hud.esri.com/egis/) map a town and use map legend under ""Landmarks"" to show hospitals.
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14b. Major providers of social services and their primary sources of funding

- Georgia.gov (http://www.georgia.gov) . Go to Family & Health, then choose type of service, then look for county offices; or go to Government, then Local Government, then choose your city or county for a link to their website.
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14c. Self-help and informal helping networks
14d. Comprehensiveness and coordination of services
14e. Availability, accessibility, and flexibility of services
14f. Are providers sensitive to special needs or concerns of minority and ethnic groups ? Are staff members bilingual? Are all clients treated with dignity?

- Individual research -- interviews, etc. _______________________________________________________________________________

15. Major Problems and Concerns of the Community

15a. What are major social problems (e.g., inadequate housing, inadequate public transportation, lack of jobs, drugs, crime, poverty, road safety) ?
15b. What efforts are underway to address these concerns?
15c. Major gaps among existing social, health care, and educational services

- TV and radio stations and newspapers in community:

- Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media (Main Reference desk Z6951 .A976). Use vol. 1 to find information by state and city for Georgia and other states.

- Web directories such as Kidon Media Link (http://www.kidon.com/media-link/) and US Newspaper List (http://www.usnpl.com)

- Conduct interviews
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Citation Guides:

APA Citation Guide http://www.libs.uga.edu/ref/apastyle.html

Other Citation Guides http://www.libs.uga.edu/researchcentral/writing/guides.html

Deborah Stanley/John Prechtel, 10/04