Qualifying a quantifying analysis on racial equality

I examine two survey questions about support for government involvement in two important areas of race: housing and employment. The questions have appeared in major longitudinal surveys in the United States since the 1960s and 1970s, and have undergone considerable quantitative analysis. In a qualitative analysis of the meaning of these survey questions for respondents in a purposive sample (n = 14) of individuals who initially participated in a probability sample mail survey of Detroit-area whites, two key Findings emerge. First, if appears that a question on open housing laws may best be interpreted as tapping a stronger commitment to the principle than to the implementation of equal treatment. Second, respondents are confused about the meaning of 'fair treatment in jobs. "Although each survey question reputedly taps support for the implementation of equal treatment they show quite different results over time, as well as with other basic correlates. This analysis sheds light on these puzzling quantitative findings and illustrates how qualitative techniques can aid in understanding the meaning of the survey questions used to tap social attitudes.