ABSTRACT
The concepts and methods used to specify a research problem govern the types and level of specificity of data needed for use in the analysis. Readily available data often do not coincide with needed data. Differences between needed and available data exist for a variety of reasons, including the changing nature of policy issues and research problems, and the underlying purpose for collecting primary data. Most micro-level agricultural data collected by the Federal Government are designed to support programmatic or legislative functions. Data are rarely, if ever, collected within the Federal establishment solely to support a research activity. Exceptions may include data collected by cooperatore in research agreements, and the Census of Agriculture. The Census is a special case since it exists to provide a comprehensive cross-sectional view of U.S. agriculture and to fill informational voids, particularly those that exist for smaller geographic areas such as counties.
