Detroit area study, 1968

de Howard Schuman, University of Michigan. Detroit Area Study, Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research

This study sampled black households and interviewed the head of household or spouse of the head of household. The study examines contact between blacks and whites and views of blacks regarding black militancy, community control, black consciousness, and anti-white sentiments. Questions included in the interview determined the number and type of contacts the respondent had with whites, the respondent's attitudes toward child-rearing, and political activities at neighborhood churches. The respondent's perceptions of various local problems are probed, including the effects of the 1967 Detroit riots. The respondent is also asked about the best means for blacks to gain their rights and reasons for the high unemployment rate in Detroit. Other topics covered are the respondent's experiences with and awareness of racial discrimination in the areas of housing, local police activities, business relations, and job opportunities. Background variables establish the respondent's age, sex, race, marital status, religious affiliation, and church activities. The respondent's residence up to age 10 and length of residence in Detroit and in this neighborhood are ascertained. Variables on the respondent's educational level, the racial composition of schools the respondent attended, and the respondent's service in the military are also included.