CONTEXT EFFECTS FOR CENSUS MEASURES OF RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN

This paper reports on the results of a split-ballot experiment conducted in 1987 to test alternative versions of the [U.S.] decennial census long form. Two forms were randomly assigned and self-administered in group sessions involving a total of 515 respondents. The order of race and Hispanic origin items was experimentally manipulated. The standard long form asks race then Hispanic origin. The experimental form reversed the order of the items in order to reduce perceived redundancy and to create a more restricted frame of reference for the race item. (EXCERPT)

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