Supporting Harm Reduction Programs

Leveraging Informal Qualitative Data Collection and Use at Syringe Services Programs

Last updated: March 27, 2023

This document provides a brief overview of some informal approaches to qualitative data collection and analysis. Specifically, this document focuses on suggestions for how to create potential systems for informal qualitative data collection and analysis at syringe services programs (SSPs), including how to develop an overall objective for data collection. By “informal” data collection, we mean data that can be largely generated from routine service interactions as opposed to formal research activities, such as in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, or community based participatory research.