Journal Article

Classifying multiple ethnic identifications

Bullen, Pat, Meissel, Kane, Morton, Susan M.B., Yao, Esther S., Carr, Polly Atatoa, Clark, Terryann C.

2021

Overview

BACKGROUND The burgeoning global multi-ethnic population, in conjunction with the importance of accurate ethnic group counts for research and policy purposes, make classification of multiple ethnic responses a complex but important issue. There are numerous possible classification approaches, differing in ethical implications and ease of statistical application. OBJECTIVE This study empirically examines the validity and consistency of three comparatively accessible ethnic classification methods (total response, administrative-prioritisation, and self-prioritisation) in increasingly ethnically diverse age cohorts (adults, adolescents, and children). METHOD We utilised secondary data from two large-scale studies in Aotearoa/New Zealand which asked children (N = 6,149; responded via mother proxy), adolescents (N = 8,464), and adults (N = 11,210) to select (1) all the ethnicities they identified with, and (2) their main ethnicity. The data were coded, then analysed using descriptive statistics and z-tests for proportional differences. RESULTS The majority of multi-ethnic participants were able to select a main ethnic group when required, but around 20% could not or refused to do so, and there was over 60% discrepancy between self-prioritised ethnicity and administrative-prioritised ethnicity. Differences by age group and ethnic combination were apparent. Comparison of overall ethnic group proportions outputted by the three classification methods revealed within-group variation, particularly where there were higher rates of multi-ethnic identification. CONTRIBUTION This study empirically demonstrates that researchers' choice of ethnic classification method can have a strong influence on ethnic group proportions. Researchers should therefore select the classification method most appropriate for their research question and clearly report the method employed.

• Publisher: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften,Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research,Max Planck Institut für Demografische Forschung
• Subject: Adolescents / Adults / Age differences / Age distribution (Demography) / Age groups / Census of Population / Children / Classification / Data collection / Demographic aspects / Ethics / ethnic classification / Ethnic groups / ethnic measurement / Ethnicity / Methods / Minority & ethnic groups / Multiculturalism & pluralism / multiple ethnicities / Native peoples / Prioritizing / Race / race/ethnicity / Racial differences / Research Article / Statistical tests / Statistics / Teenagers