Scope and Methods Assignment 2 Spring 2004

Due March 26 at the start of class

When figuring the unemployment rate in the United States, the government uses a survey. In this survey, and in the application process for unemployment benefits, the government needs to find out if the person is working or not. If not, the government needs more information that will determine whether or not the person is eligible for those benefits. This includes whether or not the person is actively looking for work, or if the person is a student, retired, or a homemaker. (A person is not eligible if not actively looking for work). Finally, if the person is unemployed and actively looking for work, the government needs to know how long the person has been looking.

Construct a set of contingency questions for use in a questionnaire that would collect this information.