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Title: A Method for Studying Difference in Segregation Levels Across Time and Space
Citation Type: Conference Paper
Publication Year: 2019
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Abstract: An important topic in the study of segregation are comparisons across space and time. Theil's information index H is frequently used to study segregation. In its interpretation, H is sometimes treated a "margin-free" measure of segregation, which implies that the H index is not sensitive to marginal changes in the size of groups (for instance, racial groups) or organizational units (for instance, schools). This conclusion is only partially true, which complicates the understanding of differences in segregation levels across time and space. Regarding this issue, the paper makes three contributions. First, in line with arguments presented by Mora and Ruiz-Castillo (2009; 2011), it is shown that the closely related M index has some conceptual advantages over the H index. Additionally, the relationship between the M and H indices is further clarified. Second, by combining a method first introduced by Karmel and Maclachlan (1988) with the advantages of the M index, it is shown that a decomposition of changes in the M index into several components is possible: one component captures changes that are introduced due to the changing marginal distributions, and one component captures changes that are due to structural increases or decreases in segregation. Both of these can be further decomposed to study the precise sources of changing segregation. Third, the decomposition is further refined by taking into account the appearance or disappearance of new units and groups, and by distinguishing comparisons across time from those of across space. The paper concludes with an example.
Url: http://paa2019.populationassociation.org/uploads/190592
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Authors: Elbers, Benjamin
Conference Name: PAA 2019
Publisher Location: Austin, TX
Data Collections: IPUMS USA
Topics: Other
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