Examine the following cross-tabulations of the relationship between urban/rural residence and feelings of attachment to one’s local community.
Attachment to Local Community:
Urban
Rural
Total
Very attached
17%
16%
16.5%
Somewhat attached
25%
40%
32.5%
Somewhat detached
30%
30%
30%
Very detached
28%
14%
21%
Total
100%
100%
100%
Attachment to Local Community:
Urban
Rural
Total
Very attached
17%
16%
16.5%
Less than very detached
83%
84%
83.5%
Total
100%
100%
100%
Discuss whether the relationship between urban/rural residence and feelings of attachment to one’s local community looks different in the top and bottom cross-tabulations.
In the bottom cross-tabulation, the categories “somewhat attached,” “somewhat detached,” and “very detached” have been combined into a single category: “less than very detached.” Which cross-tabulation do you think provides a more useful view of the relationship between these variables?
A politician looks at the bottom cross-tabulation and declares that there is no crisis of community attachment in urban neighborhoods compared to suburban neighborhoods. Is the politician correct according to the bottom table? Discuss how the top table complicates his simple message.
