Step 2: Selecting Indicators

Indicators are pieces of information that summarize or measure conditions, qualities, interrelationships, or problems. Indicator information can be expressed numerically or verbally and a change in the information identifies a movement forward or away from your desired goal. You are probably most familiar with indicators such as pH, temperature, turbidity, and chemical levels that are measures of water quality. In the same way, indicators can be used to assess the status and trends of community life in a watershed.

Two Important Points…

1. View the social profile as a snapshot in time. Social systems are constantly changing: populations grow, people migrate, social values evolve, and new technology and knowledge are gained. Information or data gathered at one point in time may change drastically in a relatively short period of time.

2. Select more than one indicator for each social characteristic. It is important to select more than one indicator to provide a fuller understanding of the current conditions and to provide validating data for your sources.

We offer both a minimum list of indicators (minimum data set) for a basic social profile and additional indicators for a more comprehensive social profile. Depending on the situation in your individual watershed, you may find that some indicators are irrelevant or, for some indicators, no data exist for your county. Recall that the idea is to create a general picture that outlines the current conditions and issues in your watershed. You may be able to do this with a few indicators or may find that you need more data in addition to the recommended indicators. Once you begin looking at a few data sources and talking to a few people in your watershed, you will start to get a feel for the types and amount of data you need to collect to fully understand the relevant issues in your watershed.

Go to Step 3