Rapid Assessment of Squatting Report (NOTE: LARGE FILE)

Data Collection
Primary Data Collection
Field data was collected with a survey instrument (see Appendix1) designed to gather
information pertinent to the specific objectives of the study. The questionnaire consisted of
twenty-five (25) (mostly closed-ended) items. One (1) questionnaire was intended for each
squatter settlement surveyed and more than half of the items could be answered through
observation.
The administration of the questionnaire was undertaken by the field officers of the various land
related Agencies who had good knowledge of the location and dynamics of the squatter sites.
Where students were employed to assist, they were accompanied by a field officer who operated
as a guide and resource person (see list of contributing Government entities in Appendix 9).
Given the project schedule, the period for fieldwork was limited to three (3) months. At the end
of the period, three hundred and twenty (320) questionnaires were distributed and completed.
The data was entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software
programme (Version 16.0). Various frequencies and cross tabulations were performed on the
data.
Secondary Data
The National Squatter Survey of Jamaica (2004) was used as baseline information and a
reference point for various aspects of this study. Since its establishment in 2006, the Squatter
Management Unit (SMU) with the support of the Social Development Commission (SDC) and
the Parish Councils embarked on an exercise to verify and update the list of six hundred and
thirty-five (635) squatter settlements recorded in the survey. This list along with any additional
settlements identified during the primary data collection phase represents the updated listing of
squatter settlements in this report.
Other relevant information on squatting gathered from collaborating government agencies by the
Unit was also utilized. Even though GIS analysis was dealt with as a separate method, it must be
appreciated that the datasets utilized in the various applications can be considered secondary
data.
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