The process of [social research

1. The process of [social research • theory/model/framework • conceptual relationships • hypotheses • working hypotheses and measurement • research design • data collection • data analysis • interpretation of results given hypotheses • revision of theory

2. Measure concepts in order to: • describe attributes, patterns, variation (univariate analysis) • determine existence of relationships (association, causal) • determine nature of the relationship(s) (direction, linear, non-linear, bivariate, multivariate, etc.)

3. population processes characteristics fertility size mortality growth mobility composition

4. population processes characteristics fertility size mortality growth mobility composition SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT

5. population processes characteristics fertility size mortality growth mobility composition SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT

6. Units of analysis: • individuals • groups/communities • organizations • artifacts (technology, texts)

7. primary data collection or field studies • observation/participant observation • interviews • survey research • self-administered (mail) • face-to face administered • phone

8. secondary data collection • tabulations • archives • other “texts”

9. combination of primary and secondary data analysis public use data files; micro-data analysis: analysis of raw data collected by others straddles primary and secondary data analysis

27. Stock size growth composition distribution Flow components of change fertility mortality mobility boundary change Categories of population attributeswith implications for data collection

28. Primary sources of population data: • Censuses • Coverage error • reliability • Measurement of error • Post enumeration surveys • Dual system estimation • Demographic analysis • Content error • Validity and reliability • Surveys

29. U.S. Bureau of the Census • Decennial census • Content • Short form • Long form • Current Population Survey • American Community Survey • Business Surveys

30. Geographic Hierarchy

31. Census Regions and Divisions of the United States

32. Metropolitan Areas • Defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) • Made up of a county or counties (or equivalent entities) • Contain large population nucleus • High socioeconomic integration • MSA, CMSA, PMSA

33. Urbanized Areas • Densely settled areas with population of at least 50,000 • Geographic core of block groups or blocks that have a population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile – Urban Cluster

34. Counties • Counties in 48 States • Independent Cities in 4 States • Parishes in Louisiana • Cities and Boroughs in Alaska

35. Small-Area Geography Overview

36. Census Tracts • For the first time for Census 2000: Cover the nation • Relatively homogenous population characteristics • 65,000 Census tracts across U.S. • Size: optimally 4,000 people, range between 1,000 and 8,000

38. Blocks • Smallest units of data tabulation • Cover the entire nation • Do not cross census tracts or counties • Generally bounded by visible features and legal boundaries • Block numbers completely different from 1990 • Size: average about 100 people

39. Census Block Map

40. Block Groups • Groups of blocks sharing the same first digit • Smallest areas for which sample data available • Size: optimally 1,500 people, range between 300 to 3,000

41. Primary sources of event data: • Registration of demographic events (vital statistics • Vital registration systems • Population registration systems • US: • National Center for Health Statistics • County registration of vital events • National Health Surveys • prevalence • Centers for Disease Control • Reporting of disease • Incidence • New York State Department of Health

43. Rates Events per population at risk of event Usually standardized (per k population) k = 1,000, or 10,000, or 100,000 Ratios Comparison of values

44. Crude Death Rate (CDR): CDR = deaths during year per mid-year population ( x 1,000) CDR = (d / P ) x 1,000 where d = deaths occurring during the year P = mid-year population Age Standardized rates