Using Key Informant Data in Comparative Community Research

Abstract

Among the obstacles confronting community researchers are difficulties in conducting comparative research involving more than a small number of communities. This is especially true when research is directed toward investigations of social processes and actions that cannot reasonably be tapped using available secondary data sources. One potential approach to resolving this dilemma involves the collection of information on social processes and actions in communities from knowledgeable “key informants.” However, despite the fact that use of informants has become relatively common in community research, little attention has been directed to the specific strengths and weaknesses of such data collection procedures. Issues of validity and reliability of informant-based data have not been widely discussed, and there have been few attempts to assess or compare various informant selection criteria. In this article we focus on an empirical overview of the key informant method and the data it can generate. The analysis is based on data collected in conjunction with a study of growth mobilization processes in small urban places. Our findings provide mixed evidence regarding the contention that use of multiple informants from each study unit can provide reliable and valid data on community processes.