Changes in data collection procedures for process-generated data and methodological implications : the case of ethnicity variables in 19th century Norwegian censuses

Verfahren zur Harmonisierung von prozessproduzierten Variablen und methodologische Implikationen: das Beispiel der 'Ethnizität' in norwegischen Volkszählungen des 19. Jahrhunderts

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Thorvaldsen, Gunnar

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Abstract	'Um Variablen wie 'Ethnizität' als unabhängige Variable etwa in demographischen Analysen verwenden zu können, müssen sie über die Zeit und verschiedene Länder hinweg einheitlich klassifiziert sein. Am Beispiel der Messung der Ethnizität in norwegischen Volkszählungen zeigt der Beitrag, dass man bei prozessproduzierten Daten nicht notwendig von der räumlichen und zeitlichen Stabilität der Messinstrumente ausgehen kann. Hierauf aufbauend diskutiert der Beitrag Ursachen für diese Inkompatibilitäten und macht einen Vorschlag zur Harmonisierung der Daten.' (Autorenreferat) 'This article discusses ethnic classification in the censuses in order to prepare its use as an independent variable in for instance demographic studies. The availability of census data and other public administrative data are increasing, also cross-nationally. In order to use these consistently in analyses, variables and categories have to remain the same over all measurement points, and the same type of person should whenever possible be classified and categorized in the same way. Using the case of ethnicity variables in Norwegian censuses, the article a) illustrates that with process-produced data, the contents of the original manuscripts are not necessarily comparable over time and space; b) it then discusses factors leading to these incompatibilities and c) suggests how to harmonize the inconsistencies.' (author's abstract)
Keywords	administration; social data; historical analysis; private household; measurement; process-produced data; measurement instrument; national border; classification; longitudinal study; microcensus; mother tongue; nationality; Norway; stability; rendering of accounts; census; nineteenth century; twentieth century; ethnicity; institutional factors
Classification	Research Design; Methods and Techniques of Data Collection and Data Analysis, Statistical Methods, Computer Methods; Population Studies, Sociology of Population; Social History, Historical Social Research
Method	basic research; historical
Document language	English
Publication Year	2009
Page/Pages	p. 168-190
Journal	Historical Social Research, 34 (2009) 3
Status	Published Version; reviewed
Licence	Deposit Licence - No Redistribution, No Modifications
Document Type	journal article

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