Distributions & Graphic Presentation Notes
Distributions & Graphic Presentation
Overview of the Research Process
Theoretical Framework: The research process begins with initial theories and examination of social relationships, followed by studying relevant literature.
Positionality: Acknowledging one's own background and perspective when asking research questions.
Iterative Cycle: The process flows from:
Asking the Research Question
Formulating Hypotheses
Collecting Data
Analyzing Data
Evaluating the Hypotheses
Contributing new evidence to literature
Beginning the cycle again with refined theories.
Statistical Methods: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
Descriptive Statistics:
Ways to describe given variables of a sample or population.
Examples include frequencies, proportions, percentages, rates, and graphics.
Inferential Statistics:
The branch of statistics used to make inferences about the characteristics of a population based on sample data.
Importance: Both descriptive and inferential statistics are equally important.
Careful interpretation of the effect or predictive power of variables like race in measured disparities is crucial.
Assumptions made during data analysis directly affect how policies are designed and practices are engaged to address social disparities.
Descriptive Census Data and Redlining
The United States Census Bureau provides extensive descriptive data on population, age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin.
American Community Survey (ACS) vs. Census:
Feature
ACS
Census
Purpose
Sample estimates
Official counts
Collects
Detailed social, economic, housing, demographic characteristics
Basic demographics
Produces
Population and housing characteristics
Population and housing totals
Year
New data every year
Every 10 years
Data Reflect
Period of time
Point in time
Redlining:
A term that has come to mean racial discrimination of any kind in housing.
Originates from government maps in the 1930s that outlined areas where Black residents lived, deeming them