Detroit Area Study (DAS)

DESCRIPTION: 
BLACK ATTITUDES IN DETROIT:  This study sampled black households within the city of Detroit in the spring and summer of 1968 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. There are 619 respondents weighted to 844, 6 decks of data per respondent, and 308 variables.

WHITE ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS ON URBAN PROBLEMS:  The 1969 study examines the attitudes of a sample of 640 white adults living in the greater Detroit Metropolitan area towards neighbors and blacks. In particular, the study measured the reaction of the respondent to blacks who might move into the neighborhood, black children who might play with the respondent's child, and blacks who work at the same job as the respondent. The study also assessed the current neighborhood situation with respect to the dominant socio-economic patterns. Demographic informationare also included.

ORIGINATING AGENCY / PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S):  Various, see table below for complete listing.

RELATED WEB SITES:  
Detroit Area Study 2001 Project Website out of the University of Michigan
Detroit Area Study

PRI FACULTY, AFFILIATES, AND STUDENTS:  Please note that additional waves of the DAS are available from ICPSR.  Various subject matter, various years  (earlier and later years).  If you are interested in obtaining any of these data, please contact the  Data Archivist .

DATA DISSEMINATED BY:  ICPSR