Awareness of Racial Inequality: The Process of Scale Development – UROP Spring Symposium 2021

Awareness of Racial Inequality: The Process of Scale Development

Monica Mashkevich

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Pronouns: she/her/hers

Research Mentor(s): Natasha Johnson, Postdoctoral Fellow
Research Mentor School/College/Department: , School of Public Health
Presentation Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Session: Session 3 (1pm-1:50pm)
Breakout Room: Room 11
Presenter: 3

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Abstract

Racism and race-based discrimination are clearly present in today’s society, but to what extent? To what extent do Black people experience discrimination and understand racism? This can be answered through the process of scale development. This study will outline the process to develop a scale, and will further describe how that scale can be used to measure the psychological phenomenon of racism awareness. In the past, there has been a great deal of scales that have been made for related topics that could be used as an object of comparison. This study will analyze the use of other scales, their effectiveness, and how they can be used to develop a new scale. To develop this scale, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools will be randomly selected. 40 students, balanced relatively evenly across grades 6 through 12, will also be invited to complete a one-on-one interview. These students will have to self-identify as African American or Black, must receive parental consent, and must self consent to participate in the study. Interviews will be conducted with the students, and they will be asked questions about their race-related experiences and understanding of racial inequality. Common themes that students mentioned will be gathered. These themes, along with other scales developed in the past, will be used to develop a scale that thoroughly measures adolescents’ awareness of racial inequality, based on their experiences, education, and knowledge.

Authors: Monica MAshkevich, Natasha Johnson
Research Method: Survey Research

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