Mediamark Research
Fall 2007 Technical Guide

Spanish Speaking Population

Prior to Wave 48, the MRI questionnaire and product booklet were only available in English. When the selected respondent within a household was not able to participate in an English language interview, attempts were made to make use of a translator. This translator might have been a family member, a neighbor or the interviewer. If it was not possible to find an individual to carry out this translation, no interview was conducted. As a result of this procedure, the Spanish speaking population covered by the MRI study prior to Wave 48 was limited to Spanish speaking individuals who are English language capable or who live in households with at least one English language capable individual. We believe that the partial use of bi-lingual interviewers or neighbors resulted in an extension of this covered population to a larger portion of the non-English language capable population. However, because these individuals are not always present, we have chosen to be conservative in our coverage descriptions. As a result, we define the Spanish language population (prior to W48) to be Spanish language individuals who are English language capable or who live in households with at least one English language capable individual.

Beginning with Wave 48, the MRI questionnaire and product booklet are available in both English and Spanish. When the selected respondent within a household is not able to participate in an English language interview, a Spanish language capable interviewer will administer the interview in Spanish, using Spanish-language materials or, a non-Spanish-language capable interviewer will attempt to use an intermediary (also using Spanish language materials). This intermediary may be a family member, a neighbor, etc. If a Spanish-language capable interviewer is not available in the area, and it is not possible to find an intermediary, no interview is conducted. As a result of this procedure, the Spanish speaking population covered by the MRI study (beginning in Wave 48) is limited to the availability of Spanish-speaking interviewers or to the presence of at least one English language capable intermediary.

 

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New Race Classification

Beginning with the 2000 Census, the race question allowed for multi-classification (i.e. a person may claim to be two or more races). MRI implemented this question change in W48. For this reason choices under the new definition will add to greater than 100 percent. In addition, prior to the 2000 Census, Hispanics who claimed to be a race other than "White" were predominantly reassigned to a "White" race classification. This is no longer the case. Beginning with Wave 48 in the Spring 2003 report, MRI post-stratified race using the new census race definitions and questions. This post-stratification entailed classifying respondents as "White Only," "Black/African American Only," or "Other Race" (which included respondents claiming to be Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, or respondents who claimed to be of two or more races.)

 

 

 

New Occupation Classification

Beginning with the 2000 Census, the revised Standard Occupation Classification System was employed to code Census occupational data. Beginning with the Fall 2004 report, MRI is releasing these new occupational codes. The old occupational codes are no longer available because of the break in trend between the two coding structures. (See note to clients accompanying release of Fall 2004 report or go to www.mediamark.com and select "Info".)

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