Research Methods Part 2

Question 1: U.S. Census Statistics
Q: What is the total population for your state based on the most recent census statistics available?
A: According to the 2000 U.S. census, as of April 1 there were 4,301,261 people living in Colorado. However, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that as of July 1, 2009, 5,024,748 people were living in Colorado.
Q: What was the population of Asian and Pacific Islanders in your state in 2000?
A: According to the 2000 U.S. census, the population of Asian and Pacific Islanders in Colorado is 132,810 (demographic breakdown: 128,135 Asian and 4,675 Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander).

Question 2: Crime Story #1
Q. Find a site that lists sex offender registries in the U.S. What is the URL?
A: The United States Department of Justice’s Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Web site: http://www.nsopw.gov/Core/OffenderSearchCriteria.aspx
Colorado Bureau of Investigation Sex Offender Web site: http://sor.state.co.us/index.cfm?SOR=home.caveat
Q: Check the sex offender registry in your state and identify any offenders in your area.
A: There are currently 76 sex offenders registered in Boulder, CO.
Q: Check the Maryland sex offender registry and click on the interactive map to find registered sex offenders near colleges in Maryland. What is the URL? What type of information is available?
A: The Department of Safety and Public Services in Maryland has created an interactive map that anyone can use to find registered sex offenders. The map allows you to search by address, county or place (ex: college, school, library, church, shopping mall, and recreational areas). You can even trace your own parameters on the map and it’ll zoom in on the specified area. Once you’ve picked your area, the map documents child sex offenders, offenders, and sexually violent offenders using a legend made up of different colored shapes.

Question 3: Crime Story #2 

Q: Check the police statistics on your own university’s Web site (if they are listed) and compare them with the ones listed on the education site.
A: It’s interesting to note the differences between CU Police Department’s statistics and those listed on the U.S. Dept. of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education’s Web site. While the OPE reported four instances of forcible rape in 2006, two in 2007 and seven in 2008, CUPD reported ten in 2006, eight in 2007 and seven in 2008. In fact, when you compare one report to the other, you’ll notice discrepancies in almost every column (in relation to the number of times a specific offense took place each year).

Q: How many forcible sex offenses were reported on your campus (from the latest year available)? How many burglaries?
A: Both CUPD and OPE statistics report that seven forcible sex offenses took place in 2008. The OPE reported 59 burglaries in 2008 while the CUPD only reported 44. (Sources linked in previous question).

Question 4: Political Reporting #1
Q: What are the latest totals for money your two senators received?
A: According to Opensecrets.org, in each of their latest campaigns, Sen. Michael Bennet received $3,661,380 and Sen. Mark Udall received $12,015,829.

Question 5: Political Reporting #2
Q: How much money did your governor receive in campaign contributions in his or her last campaign?
A: Gov. Bill Ritter received $984,026 in campaign contributions in his 2008 campaign.
Q: What was the total amount of contributions the governor received in the last election?
A: Gov. Ritter received $4,365,257 in contributions in the 2006 election.
Q: What is the limit on the amount of money for personal contributions to a campaign in your state?
A: According to a table of contribution amount limits created by the National Conference of State Legislatures, an individual can donate $525 to a governor/another statewide candidate’s campaign and $200 to a legislative candidate’s campaign.

Question 6: Government Statistics #1

Q: Find the latest government figures for tuition costs of college and universities. (Check under fast facts for education).
A: Fast Facts: http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=372
Q: What was the average tuition, fees, room and board at four-year public institutions for the latest year available?
A: At four-year public institutions for the 2007-2008 academic year, tuition and fees amounted to $5,950; room was $4,072 and board cost $3,402.
Q: What was the average tuition, fees, room and board at four-year private colleges and universities?
A: At four-year private colleges and universities for the 2007-2008 academic year, tuition and fees were $21,588; room amounted to $4,812 and board cost $3,993.

Question 7: Government Statistics #2
Q: Find the home page for your state.
A: http://www.colorado.gov/

Question 8: Government Statistics #2
Q: 
Find the home page for your city.
A: http://ci.boulder.co.us/