Demographics : a guide to methods and data sources for media, business, and government / Steve H. Murdock ... [and others]

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Murdock, Steve H.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Demography--Methodology.

Demography.

Demography--Information services.

Physical Description:

xiv, 193 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Boulder, CO : Paradigm Publishers, [2006]

Summary:

Demographics has become a critical dimension of the work of many journalists, business professionals, and government analysts and managers. Yet those who are not professional demographers often find locating and effectively using demographics difficult. Written by leading authorities, Demographics: A Guide provides a single-volume resource that is readily understandable by everyone. It describes and demonstrates how students and working professionals can obtain, use, and communicate demographic information effectively. Consisting of ten chapters organized into four sections on basic demographic concepts, definitions and methods, this book includes sources of demographic and economic data as well as explanations and examples of how to effectively and accurately use them.

Contents:

1 Introduction: Demographics in the Media, Business, and Government 1

What Are Demography and Demographics? 1

What Will Be Examined in this Text and Why? 5

Organization of the Text 7

Limitations of the Work 8

2 Basic Concepts, Definitions, and Geography of Demography 11

Basic Dimensions and Processes 11

Details of the Dimensions 12

Geography of Demography 20

3 Basic Demographic Measures and Methods 23

General Measures 23

Use of Rates 23

Descriptive Statistical Measures 26

Measures of the Major Demographic Processes and Variables 27

Measures of Population Change 27

Measures of the Demographic Processes 27

Fertility Measures 27

Mortality Measures 28

Migration Rates 33

Measures of Population Distribution 33

Measures of Population Composition 41

Age and Sex Composition 41

Race/Ethnicity 44

Household, Family, and Marital Characteristics 44

Educational Characteristics 44

Economic Characteristics 45

Controlling for Demographic Effects 45

Direct and Indirect Standardization 47

Rate Decomposition 50

Multiple-Decrement Life Tables 50

Population Estimates and Projections 52

Methods of Population Estimation 54

Methods of Population Projection 56

4 National Sources of Demographic and Socioeconomic Data 59

Demographic Data Sources 59

U.S. Bureau of the Census 59

National Center for Health Statistics 66

National Center for Education Statistics 66

Other Federal Agencies 67

Private and Nonprofit Organizations 67

Socioeconomic Data Sources 69

U.S. Bureau of the Census 69

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis 70

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 71

Internal Revenue Service 71

International Trade Administration 72

National Agricultural Statistics Service 72

Federal Reserve System 73

Other Federal Sources 73

Selected Private Data Firms 74

5 State and Local Data Sources 77

Major State and Local Agencies 79

Health Agencies 80

Human Service Agencies 81

Education Agencies 81

Agriculture Agencies 82

Fiscal and Economic Agencies 82

Commerce and Business Agencies 83

Labor Force and Workforce Agencies 83

Criminal Justice Agencies 84

Transportation Agencies 85

Natural Resource Agencies 86

Tourism Agencies 86

Building and Construction Records 86

Other Sources of State and Local Data 87

6 General Principles of Effective Communication of Demographic and Other Quantitative Data 89

General Principles for Policy-Relevant, Data-Based Presentations 89

Preparing to Present or Report Data 90

Principle 1 Know the Audience and What They Need, Want, and Expect 90

Principle 2 Get to Know the Subject Matter as Thoroughly as Possible and Get to Know Those Who Know Much More 91

Principle 3 Prepare Your Own Materials and Tailor Them to the Audience 93

Principle 4 Be Realistic About What You Are Doing 93

Presenting the Data 94

Principle 5 Let the Data Tell the Story and Avoid Providing Your Own Preliminary Evaluations 94

Principle 6 Explain Any Anomalies that Might Exist in the Data and Other Limitations in the Use of the Data 95

Principle 7 Intermix Verbal, Graphical, and Demonstration-Based Materials 95

Principle 8 Provide Comparisons Using a Context that Is Relevant to the Audience 96

Principle 9 Maintain a Dedication to Balance in the Presentation and Interpretation of Data 96

7 Principles for Interpreting Demographic Data and Data-Based Analytical Findings 103

Principle 1 Be Sure to Select the Appropriate Items (variables or measures) for the Appropriate Geographic Areas 103

Principle 2 Check for Comparability (definitional, areal, temporal) 104

Principle 3 Check for Sources of Error 105

Principle 4 Assess the Demographic and Socioeconomic Context 107

Principle 5 Compare Results Against Expected Trends 108

8 Examples of the Use and Misuse of Demographic Data 113

Media Uses of Demographic Data 113

Business Uses and Misuses of Demographic Data 116

A Mis-sited Site or a Misunderstood Business? 116

Determining the Market for a Long-Term Care Facility 120

Assessing Hiring Practices by a Defense Contractor 123

Governmental Uses and Misuses of Demographic Data 124

Demographic Analyses in Water Use Planning 124

9 Summary and Suggestions for Maintaining and Expanding Your Knowledge Base 129

Suggestions for Maintaining and Expanding Your Knowledge Base 130

Become a Regular User of the Census Bureau's and Your State Data Center's Web Sites 131

Subscribe to a Few Demographic Publications 131

Network with Other Demographic Data Users 132

Attend or Audit a Demography Course at a Community College or University 132

Do Not Limit Your Level of Knowledge to the Minimum Necessary to Survive 132

Appendix C How to Work with the Media: A Guide for Government, Business, and Demographic Professionals 167

Appendix D How to Work with Professional Demographers in Government, Academia, and Business: A Guide for News Media Professionals 171.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 177-183) and index.

ISBN:

1594511780

1594511772

OCLC:

64448421