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Measures of Language Proficiency in Censuses and Surveys

A Comparative Analysis and Assessment

  • Book
  • © 2018

Overview

Authors:
  1. Pádraig Ó Riagáin

    1. Centre for Language and Communication Studies, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

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  • Provides a critical treatment of survey research in sociolinguistics
  • Investigates how the concept of language proficiency is operationalized and measured in census and survey research
  • Explores the advantages and disadvantages of each type of census and survey question for the survey researcher

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Table of contents (5 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiv
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Measurement Issues Relating to Language Questions in Censuses and Surveys

    • Pádraig Ó Riagáin
    Pages 1-21

  3. Language Proficiency Questions in Censuses: The Republic of Ireland and the UK (Northern Ireland)

    • Pádraig Ó Riagáin
    Pages 23-47

  4. Measures of Language Proficiency in Large-Scale Surveys in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

    • Pádraig Ó Riagáin
    Pages 49-75

  5. Measures of Language Proficiency in an International Survey Programme: The Eurobarometer

    • Pádraig Ó Riagáin
    Pages 77-99

  6. Discussion and Conclusions

    • Pádraig Ó Riagáin
    Pages 101-114

  7. Back Matter

    Pages 115-131
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Keywords

About this book

This book offers a systematic analysis of a wide range of questions used in censuses, national surveys and international surveys to measure language proficiency. It addresses the urgent need in language related survey research for a comprehensive examination of the large existing body of survey data in order to provide a fuller understanding of the extent to which survey results are shaped by the way language proficiency questions are worded. While census and survey language proficiency data are extensively used in a wide range of research areas, as well as in forming, implementing and monitoring government policies, there are as yet no universally accepted survey measures of language proficiency. This book will therefore provide a valuable resource for students and scholars working in sociological areas that use census or survey language data, such as sociology of language, sociology of education, politics, racial and ethnic studies, and cultural studies; as well as for policy analysts.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Centre for Language and Communication Studies, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Pádraig Ó Riagáin

About the author

Pádraig Ó Riagáin is Visiting Research Fellow in the Centre for Language and Communication Studies, and Professor Emeritus of Sociology of Language at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.



Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Measures of Language Proficiency in Censuses and Surveys

  • Book Subtitle: A Comparative Analysis and Assessment

  • Authors: Pádraig Ó Riagáin

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72941-1

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham

  • eBook Packages: Social Sciences, Social Sciences (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2018

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-72940-4Published: 15 February 2018

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-89224-5Published: 06 June 2019

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-72941-1Published: 06 February 2018

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XIV, 131

  • Topics: Sociolinguistics, Language Policy and Planning, Multilingualism, Language Education, Applied Linguistics

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