Social Statistics for a Diverse Society by Frankfort-Nachmias Chava & Leon-Guerrero Anna

Author:Frankfort-Nachmias, Chava & Leon-Guerrero, Anna [Frankfort-Nachmias, Chava & Leon-Guerrero, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781483343396
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2010-11-24T00:00:00+00:00

READING THE RESEARCH LITERATURE: REPORTING THE RESULTS OF STATISTICAL HYPOTHESIS TESTING

Let’s conclude with an example of how the results of statistical hypothesis testing are presented in the social science research literature. Keep in mind that the research literature does not follow the same format or the degree of detail that we’ve presented in this chapter. For example, most research articles do not include a formal discussion of the null hypothesis or the sampling distribution. The presentation of statistical analyses and detail will vary according to the journal’s editorial policy or the standard format for the discipline.

It is not uncommon for a single research article to include the results of 10 to 20 statistical tests. Results have to be presented succinctly and in summary form. An author’s findings are usually presented in a summary table that may include the sample statistics (e.g., the sample means), the obtained test statistics (t or Z), the P level, and an indication of whether or not the results are statistically significant.9

Robert Emmet Jones and Shirley A. Rainey (2006) examined the relationship between race, environmental attitudes, and perceptions about environmental health and justice.10 Researchers have documented how people of color and the poor are more likely than whites and more affluent groups to live in areas with poor environmental quality and protection, exposing them to greater health risks. Yet little is known about how this disproportional exposure and risk are perceived by those affected. Jones and Rainey studied black and white residents from the Red River community in Tennessee, collecting data from interviews and a mail survey during 2001 to 2003.

They created a series of index scales measuring residents’ attitudes pertaining to environmental problems and issues. The Environmental Concern (EC) Index measures public concern for specific environmental problems in the neighborhood. It includes questions on drinking water quality, landfills, loss of trees, lead paint and poisoning, the condition of green areas, and stream and river conditions. EC-II measures public concern (very unconcerned to very concerned) for the overall environmental quality in the neighborhood. EC-III measures the seriousness (not serious at all to very serious) of environmental problems in the neighborhood. Higher scores on all EC indicators indicate greater concern for environmental problems in their neighborhood. The Environmental Health (EH) Index measures public perceptions of certain physical side effects, such as headaches, nervous disorders, significant weight loss or gain, skin rashes, and breathing problems. The EH Index measures the likelihood (very unlikely to very likely) that the person believes that he or she or a household member experienced health problems due to exposure to environmental contaminants in his or her neighborhood. Higher EH scores reflect a greater likelihood that respondents believe that they have experienced health problems from exposure to environmental contaminants. Finally, the Environmental Justice (EJ) Index measures public perceptions about environmental justice, measuring the extent to which they agreed (or disagreed) that public officials had informed residents about environmental problems, enforced environmental laws, or held meetings to address residents’ concerns. A higher mean EJ score

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