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Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:43:36 am
We just got the "American Community Survey" in the mail. I find it a bit ironic that I am "required by U.S. law to respond to this survey." For those of you who weren't aware, sociologists do a lot of research based purely off of, or at least supported in part by, stats that they pull from large databases that include results from surveys like this. At the same time, one of the main principles of ethical research, which are also federally mandated, is that you get informed consent from your subjects*. Oh government, you. ;)
Anyway, the part of me that minored in sociology can't help but critique any survey or statistical data I come across. Usually in the, "this is not a valid and/or useful question" kind of way. And while the side that minored in urban studies understands the importance of questions concerning race, ethnicity, and ancestry, the anthropology major really wants to be a smartass about it.
*Presumably they didn't have to actually get IRB approval to send out this survey, so the federal mandate would not actually apply. I just think it kind of goes against the spirit of research and the relevant fields anyway.
Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:46:22 am
I have never received one of those surveys.
Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:51:59 am
re: comment#1
I have never received one of those surveys.
I was summoned for jury duty less than two weeks after I turned 18.
But just like with this survey, I was really excited to do it.
Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:52:01 am
The Department of Commerce has stated that those who receive a survey form are legally obligated to answer all the questions as accurately as possible. Those who decline to complete the survey may receive follow-up phone calls and/or visits to their homes from Census Bureau personnel. Section 221 of Title 13 U.S.C., makes it a misdemeanor to refuse or willfully neglect to complete the questionnaire or answer questions posed by census takers and imposes a fine of not more than $100. This fine was changed by the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 from $100 to not more than $5,000. The Census Bureau prefers to gain cooperation by convincing respondents of the importance of participation. To date, no person has ever been charged with a crime for refusing to answer the ACS. The Department of Commerce states that it is "not an enforcement agency."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Community_Survey
Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:52:27 am
re: comment#2
I was summoned for jury duty less than two weeks after I turned 18.
But just like with this survey, I was really excited to do it.
Jury duty has nothing to do with this.
But just like with this survey, I was really excited to do it.
I was just giving an example of how I tend to be "randomly selected" for things a lot.
Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:53:57 am
re: comment#4
Jury duty has nothing to do with this.
I was just giving an example of how I tend to be "randomly selected" for things a lot.
I have been selected for jury duty, but I have not been selected for this.I was just giving an example of how I tend to be "randomly selected" for things a lot.
Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:54:06 am
re: comment#4
Jury duty has nothing to do with this.
I was just giving an example of how I tend to be "randomly selected" for things a lot.
I forgot to add that I was summoned twice that same year.I was just giving an example of how I tend to be "randomly selected" for things a lot.
Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:55:18 am
re: comment#5
I have been selected for jury duty, but I have not been selected for this.
Maybe I was. I never received a survey in the mail, but census workers were going door to door in my neighborhood. I spotted them when I was leaving for work. They may have rung my doorbell while I was out.Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:57:38 am
re: comment#3
The Department of Commerce has stated that those who receive a survey form are legally obligated to answer all the questions as accurately as possible. Those who decline to complete the survey may receive follow-up phone calls and/or visits to their homes from Census Bureau personnel. Section 221 of Title 13 U.S.C., makes it a misdemeanor to refuse or willfully neglect to complete the questionnaire or answer questions posed by census takers and imposes a fine of not more than $100. This fine was changed by the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 from $100 to not more than $5,000. The Census Bureau prefers to gain cooperation by convincing respondents of the importance of participation. To date, no person has ever been charged with a crime for refusing to answer the ACS. The Department of Commerce states that it is "not an enforcement agency."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Community_Survey
Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:00:36 am
re: comment#8
See, the "accurately as possible" part is what gets my anthropology senses all tingly. I know how they want me to answer, but it wouldn't truly be accurate. And I'm not trying to make some statement, either. I've just been trained to understand race, ethnicity, ancestry, etc., in very specific ways.
I was focusing on the part that I bolded and underlined.Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:01:18 am
re: comment#7
Maybe I was. I never received a survey in the mail, but census workers were going door to door in my neighborhood. I spotted them when I was leaving for work. They may have rung my doorbell while I was out.
For this, we just got a letter in the mail a couple days ago telling us to expect to get it.
When I filled out the census, I was living on campus, and it was a tiny form left under my door by my R.A.
I've never seen a census person canvassing a neighborhood.
Also, considering that I've worked on a major/professional and important research project that relied almost entirely on census data (there were also interviews), I probably shouldn't take glee in fucking with them.
Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:01:54 am
re: comment#9
I was focusing on the part that I bolded and underlined.
I meant to reply to that first.
Basically, I know they won't do anything if I don't respond. It's just the principle of the matter, dammit.
Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:06:32 am
re: comment#10
For this, we just got a letter in the mail a couple days ago telling us to expect to get it.
When I filled out the census, I was living on campus, and it was a tiny form left under my door by my R.A.
I've never seen a census person canvassing a neighborhood.
Also, considering that I've worked on a major/professional and important research project that relied almost entirely on census data (there were also interviews), I probably shouldn't take glee in fucking with them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jedi_census_phenomenonWhen I filled out the census, I was living on campus, and it was a tiny form left under my door by my R.A.
I've never seen a census person canvassing a neighborhood.
Also, considering that I've worked on a major/professional and important research project that relied almost entirely on census data (there were also interviews), I probably shouldn't take glee in fucking with them.
Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:35:31 am
re: comment#12
Alas, the ACS does not include any questions about religion.
Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:36:03 am
re: comment#14
Alas, the ACS does not include any questions about religion.
It's most about your work. Like what you do, how much you make, and how you get there.
Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:51:35 pm
irony is not the word i'd use
