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

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.)

population

processes characteristics

fertility sizemortality growthmobility composition

population

processes characteristics

fertility sizemortality growthmobility composition

SO

CIE

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EN

VIR

ON

ME

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population

processes characteristics

fertility sizemortality growthmobility composition

SO

CIE

TY

EN

VIR

ON

ME

NT

SO

CIE

TY

EN

VIR

ON

ME

NT

Units of analysis:

• individuals

• groups/communities

• organizations

• artifacts (technology, texts)

primary data collection or field studies

• observation/participant observation

• interviews

• survey research

• self-administered (mail)

• face-to face administered

• phone

secondary data collection

• tabulations

• archives

• other “texts”

public use data files; micro-data analysis:

analysis of raw data collected by others straddles primary and secondary data analysis

combination of primary and secondary data analysis

Categories of population attributeswith implications for data collection

• Stock– size

– growth

– composition

– distribution

• Flow– components of

change• fertility

• mortality

• mobility

• boundary change

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

U.S. Bureau of the Census

• Decennial census– Content

• Short form

• Long form

• Current Population Survey

• American Community Survey

• Business Surveys

Geographic Hierarchy

Census Regions and Divisions of the United States

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

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

Counties

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

Small-Area Geography Overview

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

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

Census Block Map

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

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

RatesEvents per population at risk of event

Usually standardized (per k population)k = 1,000, or 10,000, or 100,000

Ratios

Comparison of values

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