CENSUS CD + MAPS
                       How to Write A Report

This software allows users to run statistical reports generated from the
1990 US Census and to map report findings. There are a number of steps in
the process, though, and the program requires users to follow
instructions methodically. Once a user has worked through the program a
couple of times, the steps in the process and the arrangement or order of
those steps seem very natural. It is important to remain very patient the
first few times through.

  How To Write a Report

  There are five steps to developing Reports from the Census CD:

    1. Selecting the Area
    2. Selecting the information to be Counted
    3. Determining Options
    4. Running the Report
    5. Reading the Report



STEP 1: Selecting the Area

  The first step is to move the cursor to the pull down menu at the top
  of the page and select "Area."

  Users must decide whether the units of study should be determined by
     1. geographic area

        (nation, region, state, county, tract or block group, place (e.g.,
         towns), zipcode, congressional district, etc.)
 
     2. neighborhood
        (users then insert their zipcode and street address),or

     3. radius
        (latitude/longitude, zip centroid, place centroid, address
         geocode).

    Instructions will be given from this point.

     As an example, if one desired to create a census report for the New
     Hampshire towns directly surrounding Durham, they would begin by 1. 
     searching by "place", after selecting "geographic area -- place,"
     they would be given options on the screen.
 	*  users must select a state (frame at the left), here we would 
	   select NH
 	*  then they would select cities/towns, the nine we are targeting
    	   include:
     		+  Durham
     		+  Dover
	        +  Portsmouth
     		+  Newmarket
     		+  Barrington
     		+  Lee
     		+  Madbury
     		+  Rollinsford and
     		+  Newington

Note that these last five places are very small and not listed under
"places" on the menu.  Finding and adding these towns includes use of the
"Search" function.  Once the "Search" key is selected, a dialog box opens
and asks you to identify the location you want.  Once it shows on the
screen, you need to highlight it and select "Add" from the keys at the
right.

A number of locations can be selected for a single report and findings
for those locations will be compared in reports and on maps.


STEP 2: Selecting the Items to be Counted/Described

"Counts" is the pull-down menu option two spaces to the right of the
"Area" button. It allows the user to select what is to be covered in the
report.  Users must choose between "Standard" and "Tailored" Counts.

NOTE: A "Standard" report is quite comprehensive. Sometimes less
information is desired (for example, a researcher may wish to collect
only data on number of years of schooling completed versus the entire
education statistical report). The user determines his/her purpose and
selects report type. Just as before, highlighting "selects" the
variable/s to be covered.


In our example, a "tailored" report will be used in order to illustrate
household language and educational attainment for the places in our
study.
 *  Under "counts" we select "tailored"
 *  Under "tailored report" we select
     +    household language of age 5+
     +    population 25+ educational attainment
 *  From the options for language, we chose to select:
     +   English only
     +   French or French Creole
     +   Greek
     +   Spanish or Spanish Creole
     +   other
 *  From the options under educational attainment, we chose:
     +  all the options

STEP 3: Setting the Report Approach -- Selecting Options

"Options" is the next consideration. In order for a report to run, you
need to select the type of report desired.
For our example, the following items would be selected:
 *   "descriptive" should be checked in the  "Counts Short Name" box,
 *  "area name,"  "area key," and  "latitude/longitude" should be checked
    in the "Include" box, and
 *  "counts description report" should be selected  in the "Produce" box.

STEP 4: Running the Report

  Now reports are ready to be run.  This step, simply, involves pulling
  down the "Run" menu and selecting report type.

    (NOTE: Some reports cannot be generated for a small geographic area.
    For example data were not collected by the 1990 Census to address
    certain population dynamics or specific (usually smaller)
    places/locations.)

  Different types of reports are available.  The most general and
  broadest report is a "Snapshot" report; this form works well for
  reports using the "standard" option.  A "List" report is an excellent
  option for "tailored" reports which compare tables from different
  places/locations.

STEP 5: Reading Data

Users should keep in mind that locations complete the vertical axis in
the data matrix (e.g., are the "first" column) and that the variables
(the statistics collected) complete the horizontal axis (these run across
the top of the page). Snapshot reports are written, then, in a
wide/landscape rather than long/portrait format. List reports tend to run
in a longer format.

PRINTING

      In order to print a report, one must move the page to the
      right and print each portion as needed. Printers seem to
      capture what is on the screen.


Candace McKinnis
University of New Hampshire
1999