Detroit area study, 1954

de Ronald Freedman, Morris Janowitz, University of Michigan. Detroit Area Study, Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research

This study sampled a cross-section of adults living in the Detroit Metropolitan area. The study was concerned with respondents' information about, contact with, and attitudes toward governmental administrative agencies. It also explored respondents' attitudes toward civic duties, organizational membership, and ideal family size. The 1954 Detroit Area Study examined contact with and knowledge of various government agencies, including the Michigan Employment Security Commission and the Social Security system. The respondent was asked to evaluate the performance of the public schools, the County Sheriff's Department, the State Police, the local police, and the local, county, and state government officials. The political preference and participation of the respondent were ascertained and also his/her perception of the amount of corruption among high government officials. The respondent was asked to define "red tape" and to say how much of it was necessary. Also he/she was asked about the importance of political pull to the responsiveness of government agencies in helping private citizens.