Community Quality-of-Life Indicators

The second edition of this training book, which comes with a complementary online course, is designed to help community indicator researchers (and those stepping into this position) enhance their professional knowledge of the subject. The book is divided into three major parts: Introduction, Planning, and Implementation. It undertakes two approaches to indicator planning and development: a top-down versus a bottom-up approach. The top-down approach involves understanding the various theoretical approaches that guide indicator selection, such as human development, utilitarianism, opulence, social justice, sustainability, etc. In contrast, many community indicators researchers use a more political process to guide indicator selection. The book refers to this approach as “bottom-up”—a process guided by politics and the interests of the various stakeholders involved in an indicators project. The new edition expands on this approach and incorporates much of the latest research and practice related to data mining, data management, and technical aspects of “big data”. It also includes adjustments and updates to cases, making this a must-read textbook and guide for anyone interested in enhancing their competence in community indicators research.