SDS 328M
10/15/15
Lab: Mon 10am
Critique #1
Introduction
Pew Research Center reported the results of a study of different
generations within the United States. The data was collected as a part of
the American Trends Panel, in which a random and nationally
representative sample of adults were surveyed online as well as by mail
and by telephone. They conclude that the Millennial generation, or those
who are ages 18 to 34 in 2015 resist the label of Millennials and sees
their own generation in a more negative light than those in older
generations.
Methods they used to make this point were, firstly, the collection of
data through randomly selecting 3,147 adults living in households and
administering a survey, and then presenting the data in a detailed report
with five different graphs that easily reveal that Millennials (as defined by
the researchers) identify as such at the lowest rate and also attribute
positive qualities to their own generation at the lowest rate.
Discussion
A general, overarching issue that is immediately apparent in this
study of generations is that there are no hard lines drawn as to where
each generation ends and another begins. There is no consensus on this in
the general public, nor has there been an authority that clearly defines the
years in which each generation was born. The researchers assigned birth
years to each generation by their own accord, and determined whether or
not the individuals studied essentially agreed with the parameters the
researchers set. This skews the results of the data concerning
generational identity, because the researchers sorted the ages almost
arbitrarily.
The second point the study makes is that those ages 18 through 34
tend to view their own generation in a more negative light than those in
older generations. They gathered results by presenting eighteen
description words in the survey and asking respondents if they thought
that the descriptors describe their generation overall. Words such as
patriotic, responsible, hard-working, willing to sacrifice, religious,
self-reliant, politically active, idealistic, and tolerant were included.