Topic
The United States Census
Instructions
This assignment focuses on teaching quantitative literacy using information available in the United States census. You will create a minimum of two charts in Excel showing data and write a 2-3 page paper interpreting similarities and differences between two geographic locations.
What will you learn by doing this assignment? This assignment will help you:
1. Practice how to read and interpret statistical data.
2. Exercise critical thinking skills.
3. Review United States census data and how to use it to obtain information.
How will this assignment relate to your future?
Numerical information is a fact of life. It depicts trends, shows results, and reveals increases and declines. In career jobs, most organizations compile some sort of numerical data in order to write reports for management or the board of directors, seek grant funding, or justify program expenditures. Learning how to read and interpret statistical data will prepare you for career positions.
Those of you planning on attending graduate school will have to complete courses in research methods, many of which use quantitative data information, and some of which focus on generating quantitative data for research purposes. Developing skills in reading and interpreting statistical data will also help you be successful in graduate school.
Finally, write a 2-3 page paper (in APA style) in which you do the following:
- Describe the 2 counties.
- Using the charts you have created in Excel (and be sure to include them in this paper!), explain what these charts show and what the similarities and differences are. Explain the answers to your questions.
- Finally, what don’t you know about these counties that you wish you knew? What questions do you still have about these two counties?
- Be sure to provide a cover sheet and a reference page in APA style.
Answer Preview
Despite the higher income level, Beaver County has a higher unemployment rate when compared to Blair. Among the various races of people within the county, the highest unemployment rates have been observed among the black or African American races. This could be the race that is highly affected by the low-income levels and many of them could be living below the average income level for the households within the county. Beaver County has a higher average income per household despite the high unemployment rate. This means that the individuals working within the county earn higher salaries as compared to those working in Blair County.
Word Count: 800