Survey Research on Race and Ethnicity - icpsr - University of Michigan

Methodological Issues in Quantitative <strong>Research</strong> on Race and Ethnicity 

Phillip Bowman, University of Michigan, National Center for Institutional Diversity 

Co-Instructors: Angela Ebreo, John Garcia, Maria Krysan, & Ruby Mendenhall 

TAs: Darrell Hudson, Jonetta Johnson, Kristine Molina, & Edward Vargas 

Location: TBA 

Workshop: 2 credits. This course examines research design, measurement, and analysis issues in quantitative 

research on racial and ethnic populations in the United States. Individuals with a substantive interest in 

policy-relevant social science research on race, ethnicity and related diversity challenges will be afforded the 

opportunity to explore a variety of methodological issues. "Hands-on" analysis of computerized data will be 

an integral component of the learning experience to help participants refine both their analytic skills and 

research agendas. Methodological areas focused on will include: reliable and valid measurement of racial 

and ethnic variables in major survey studies; innovative sampling strategies for diverse populations; racerelated 

measurement errors in data collection; analysis traditions, trends and issues within various social 

sciences, professional fields and public policy arenas. The class will bridge an inter-and cross-disciplinary 

perspective (sociology, psychology, political science, economics, etc.) with a policy-relevant focus on 

racial/ethnic disparities (health, education, criminal justice, urban poverty, etc.). 

The course will meet 12:30 to 2:30 during the 4 week period. Participants in the course must have had at 

least two courses in statistics, as well as a course on research methods/design. Participants are encouraged to 

also enroll in an appropriate ICPSR statistics course in the afternoon. This ICPSR workshop is also one of 

several core components of a new National Consortium for Diversity <strong>Research</strong> & Policy Initiative based at the 

National Center for Institutional Diversity. 

References 

Babbie, E. (1990). <strong>Survey</strong> research methods. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. 

Kiecolt, K.J. (1985). Secondary analysis of survey data. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. 

Krysan, M. & Lewis, A. (2004). The changing terrain of race and ethnicity. New York: Russell Sage 

Foundation. 

MIQRRE WORKSHOP COURSE PACK 

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Week 1 –Theoretical v. Policy Agendas - Quantitative <strong>Research</strong> on Racial/Ethnic Diversity: 

Conceptual, Measurement, Disparity, Policy, Ideological and Ethical Issues 

M 6/23 - No Class 

T 6/24 - Changing Terrain of <strong>Research</strong> on Race & Ethnicity: Beyond White & Black 

• Course Overview and Logistics 

- Developing a <strong>Research</strong> Agenda: <strong>Research</strong> Programs, Proposals & Engagement 

- Workshop Lab: Secondary Analysis of Selected ICPSR Datasets 

• Changing Terrain of Race & Ethnicity: Theory, Concepts & Measurement Issues 

- Conceptual Issues: Categories, Discrimination, Culture, Identity, Diversity, etc. 

- Measurement of Racial/Ethnic Variables: Reliability and Validity 

• Racial/Ethnic Disparity & Public Policy: Inter-Group, Ideological & Ethical Issues 

- Racial/Ethnic Inequality: Health, Education, Political & Economic Disparities 

- Theoretical vs. Policy Goals: Bridging Basic and Policy <strong>Research</strong> Agendas 

W 6/25 - “Pivotal” Program for <strong>Research</strong> on Black Americans & Beyond: 

Health Disparities – Methodological Issues in <strong>Research</strong> on Risk & Protection 

Invited Featured Speaker: James S. Jackson 

Panelists: Robert Taylor, Harold Neighbors, Linda Chatters, Letha Chadiha 

R 6/26 - Featured Methods - BASIC MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS 

• Scaling, Dimensional Analysis & Data Mining 

• Multiple Regression/Linear Models 

• Categorical Data Analysis 

• Social Network Analysis 

Student Selected Articles (Methodological Critique Guidelines - Babbie, pp. 352-56) 

“Gurin, P., Dey, E., Hurtado, S., & Gurin, G. (2003). Diversity and Higher Education: 

Theory and Impact on Educational Outcomes. Harvard Educational Review. 72:330-66.” 

“Sellers, R.M., Rowley, S.A., Chavous, T., Shelton, N., & Smith, M. (1997). 

Multidimensional inventory of black identity: Preliminary investigation of reliability and 

construct validity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73 (4), 805-815.” 

F 6/27 - Developing a <strong>Research</strong> Agenda – Problem Statement and Questions 

• Critical Issues, Examples Student Presentations 

• ICPSR MINORITY DATA RESOURCE CENTER – Felicia LeClere 

Daily: “Hands-On” ICPSR Secondary Analysis Laboratory 

• Secondary Analysis of Selected Dataset: ICPSR CD0016 or other archived data for 

analysis of race/ethnic issue 

National <strong>Survey</strong> of Black Americans/National <strong>Survey</strong> of American Life/World Mental 

Health 2000 Project 

Latino National Political <strong>Survey</strong>/National Latino and Asian American Study 

National Black Election Studies 

Multi-City Study of Urban Inequality 

Detroit Area Study 

Project for Human Development in Chicago Neighborhood 

Monitoring the Future <strong>Survey</strong>, Panel Study of Income Dynamics, etc. 

2

Week 2 - Diverse Populations: Sampling Issues and Special Methodological Strategies 

M 6/30 - Probability Sampling in Diverse Populations 

• Sampling Procedures: Designs and Challenges in Diverse Populations 

• Sample Quality: Small N Problems, Sampling Errors and External Validity 

• Low Density Challenges: Rare Element Sampling, Weights, and Innovative Strategies 

• Race/Ethnic-Related Challenges: Response Rates, Undercounts, Missing Data, etc. 

• Cross-Cultural Sampling Issues: Cross-National, Multi-Ethnic, Sub-Ethnic, etc. 

(ie World Mental Health <strong>Survey</strong>/National <strong>Survey</strong> of American Life/National Latino & 

Asian American Study) 

T 7/1 - Asian American Perspectives - Beyond The White-Black Paradigm: 

Methodological Issues in Quantitative <strong>Research</strong> on Asian Americans 

W 7/2 - Featured Methods - MULTILEVEL MODELING/BAYESIAN ANALYSIS 

• “HLM” – Basic 

• “HLM” – Advanced 

• Multilevel Modeling Using SAS 

• Bayesian Models 


“Paletz, S.B., Peng, K., Erez, M., Maslach, C. (2004). Ethnic composition and its 

differential impact on group processes in diverse teams. Small Group <strong>Research</strong>, 35(2), 

128-157.” 

“Sampson, R. & Raudenbush, S. (2004). Seeing Disorder: Neighborhood Stigma and the 

Social Construction of Broken Windows. Social Psychology Quarterly. 67(4):319-342.’ 

R 7/3 - Educational Disparities – Bridging Basic & Policy <strong>Research</strong> Agendas: 


F 7/4 - JULY 4 TH 

Invited Panelists: Deborah Carter, John Matlock, Ed. St. John 












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Week 3 - Diverse Populations: Data Collection and Special Methodological Strategies 

M 7/7 - Data Collection in Diverse Populations: Bowman and Garcia 

• Data Collection Errors: Beyond Measurement and Sampling Errors 

• Race of Interviewer Effects: Methodological Challenges and Strategies 

• Significant Involvement & Functional Relevance: Errors and Strategies 

• Interviewer Observations: Converging <strong>Survey</strong> & Ethnographic Strategies 

• Cross-Cultural Considerations: Methodological Issues & Strategies 

T 7/8 - Latina/o Perspectives - Beyond The White-Black Paradigm: 

Methodological Issues in Quantitative <strong>Research</strong> on Latino Populations 

W 7/9 - Featured Methods – “CAUSAL” AND MATHEMATICAL MODELS 

• “LISREL” Models (General Structural Equations) 

• Simultaneous Equation Models 

• Mathematical Models 

• Spatial Econometrics 


“Allen, R.L., Dawson, M.C., & Brown, R.E. (1989). A schema-based approach to modeling 

an African American racial belief system. American Political Science Review, 83, 421-41.” 

“Levin, J.S., Taylor, R.J., & Chatters, L.M. (1995). A multidimensional measure of religious 

involvement for African Americans. The Sociological Quarterly, 36(1), 157-73. 

R 7/10 – Political Disparities – Participation, Citizenship & Criminal Justice – 

Bridging Basic & Policy <strong>Research</strong> Agendas: 


Invited Featured Speaker: John Garcia 

Panelists: Ron Brown and Vincent Hutchings 

F 7/11 - Developing a <strong>Research</strong> Agenda – Methods and Prospectus 

• Critical Issues and Examples 

• Student Presentations 












4

Week 4 – Analysis Trends and Issues: Bridging Basic vs Policy <strong>Research</strong> Traditions 

M 7/14 - Introduction: Bowman and Mendenhall 

• Cross-Cultural and Racial/Ethnic Analysis: Across Groups, Contexts, and Nations 

• Basic Social/Behavioral Sciences: Disciplinary Analytic Traditions 

(Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology) 

• Policy-Relevant Professional Fields: Interdisciplinary Trends 

(Business, Education, Policy Studies, Health Sciences, Social Work,) 

• Quantitative vs. Qualitative Methods: Strengths and Weaknesses 

• Multi-Method & Mixed-Method: Challenges & Benefits in Racial/Ethnic Studies 

T 7/15 - Economic Disparities - Urban Poverty, Segregation & Immigration - 

Bridging Basic & Policy <strong>Research</strong> Agendas: Methodological Issues in Quantitative 

<strong>Research</strong> on Race and Ethnicity 

Ruby Mendenhall and Invited Panelists 

W 7/16 - Featured Methods - EXPERIMENTAL & LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS 

• Field Experiments 

• Longitudinal Analysis (Panel, Trend, Historical, etc.) 

• Time Series and Econometics 

• Latent Trajectory/Growth Curve Analysis 


‘Brown, T., Williams, D., Jackson, J., Neighbors, H., Torres, M., Sellers, S., & Brown, K. 

(2000). "'Being Black and Feeling Blue': The Mental Health Consequences of Racial 

Discrimination." Race and Society 2(2):117-31 

“Darity, W.A., Dietrich, J., & Guilkey, D.K. (2001). Persistent advantage or disadvantage?: 

Evidence in support of the intergenerational drag hypothesis"," The American Journal of 

Economics and Sociology , 60.2 , 435-470.” 

T 7/17 –Reflections from ISR: Evolution of Racial/Ethnic <strong>Survey</strong> Analysis 

Methodological Trends in <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Research</strong> on Race & Ethnicity 

Reflections from Invited ISR Panelists 

F 7/18 - MIQRRE Workshop Review, Reflections, and Evaluation 




National <strong>Survey</strong> of Black Americans/ National <strong>Survey</strong> of American Life/World Mental 


Latino National Political <strong>Survey</strong>/ National Latino and Asian American Study 






5

Workshop Assignments and Requirements 

1) Assignment I: Developing a Quantitative <strong>Research</strong> Agenda 

2) Methodological Critique of a Selected Illustration from Class Readings 

3) “Databased” Review of Studies (ie 10) on a <strong>Research</strong> Topic of Personal Interest 

4) Methodological Critique of 1 Selected Study (Published) of Personal Interest 

5) A Final <strong>Research</strong> Prospectus: Problem Statement and Methodological Plan 

6) A Short Diary on Lab Experience: Hands-on” ICPSR Secondary Analysis Lab 

Related Class Presentations: 

A) Developing a <strong>Research</strong> Agenda – Problem Statement 

B) Developing a <strong>Research</strong> Agenda – Prospectus and Methods 

C) Methodological Critique of 1 Selected Illustration from Class Readings 

D) A Final <strong>Research</strong> Prospectus: Problem Statement and Methodological Plan 

6

Survey Research on Race and Ethnicity - icpsr - University of Michigan

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