New does not automatically mean better
A newly created online survey may be less representative than an established population survey. An existing administrative dataset may be timely but describe service use rather than unmet need.
Evaluate the method rather than ranking sources by whether you collected them yourself.
A practical division of labor
Existing data might show where a problem is more common. New interviews might help explain barriers or experiences that the existing measures do not capture. The sources can answer different parts of the same assessment.
| Before collecting | Ask |
|---|---|
| Existing information | Does a suitable measure already exist? |
| Remaining gap | What decision cannot yet be informed? |
| New collection | Who will be asked, and what burden does it create? |
| Use of findings | How will the answer change planning? |
Keep definitions aligned
If a survey asks about the past month but administrative records cover a year, do not present the two numbers as if they measured the same period. Similar labels can conceal different questions.
A useful assessment does not maximize the number of datasets. It combines enough credible information to address the decision, explains mismatches, and avoids asking residents to repeat information that will not be used.
