A Match Made in Research Heaven: The Sociologist and the Census

It’s a tale as old as time. Or rather, just as old as the United States Census. No, it’s not Beauty and the Beast, but it is a match made in research heaven: the sociologist and the census.

To talk about this perfect pair, Finlandia Fridays host Olivia Myers talks with Finlandia’s Sociology Professor, Dr. Michael Reay. Dr. Reay goes into detail about the difference between sociology and psychology (the collective versus the individual) and how the Census serves as an important tool for sociologists across the country.

“We’re looking at groups and community and, in the United States, the Census is one of the most important sources of information,” said. Dr. Reay. “You can look at any kind of level of detail. The idea is that you’re looking for correlations in factors.”

While the data is aggregated and unable to be traced back to individuals, Dr. Reay explains how sociologists can use the data to make inferences and discover trends in society.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about how sociologists use the data, how the Census Bureau protects your privacy and why it’s such an important tool for students.

Also, be sure to complete your Census by September 30 at census.gov!

LINKS

• 2020 Census
• Finlandia Sociology Degree
• Dr. Michael Reay

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