By Emily Hagar, Michelle Shackelford, Taylor Gibson, and Samantha Beasley
Introduction
In this project we decided to research how the 2008 recession
effected the birth rate and immigration rate in the following Arizona counties: Apache,
Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima,
Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, and Yuma, based on changes
in per capita income and unemployment rates. We decided to do this because many
times where people move and how many children they have following a recession
is dependent upon the economic status of the area and the availability of jobs.
Since Arizona is an area with high illegal and legal immigration rates we
thought it would be a good state to do this comparison in. These factors peaked
a curiosity in our group to see if the 2008 recession caused a positive,
negative, or neutral effect on both the natural born population and the migrant
population within the state of Arizona. We predict that overall the 2008
recession will negatively affect the state of Arizona by decreasing the per
capita income and increasing the unemployment rates, which will cause birth
rates and immigration rates to decrease. Introduction
Background
Research
Our group relied mostly on federally and state funded websites, such as Census.gov, and Defense.gov, and those of tax and news
organizations (such as AZDOR.Gov, or “Arizona Department of Revenue”) in
order to obtain maps, information and tables on birth rates, migration rates,
unemployment rates, and taxes. We focused mainly on searching for information
that was sectioned out by each county in the state of Arizona. We also used
news websites such as CNN to read through articles with information about the
American Recession that began in 2008. We also found information on how Arizona
as a state has been affected by the recession and how it hurt the already
struggling job market in the area, specifically within and near Indian
Reservations. We found this information in articles throughout websites such as
ArizonaInterfaith.Org and AZCentral.com.
Next we researched information on Hispanics in the state of Arizona, and the
rates of their migration in and out of the state, specifically focusing on the
migrations within the brackets of 1990-2000, 2000-2010, and 2010-2013. We found
all of this information, along with facts on the Hispanic population such as
percentages of inhabitants in Arizona and even their status in the job and
housing market, on NCLR.org (National Council of La Raza).
Another helpful tool we found while researching was WorkForce.AZ.Gov. This website not only gave us facts on the workforce in
Arizona, but it provided us with tables that held important numbers such as
unemployment rates per county, and also per Indian Reserve. We decided not to
include the Indian Reserves as territories in our project because there is
fifteen different counties within the state, and there is over twenty different
Indian Reserves.
Once we obtained all of our information about migration, taxes, and employment
levels, we had to filter through tables and spread sheets and collect numbers
to create our own maps and data sets.
Methods
We began the research process by
dividing our topic into sections that each member would focus on. The
sub-topics consisted of specific variables or areas of interest relevant to our
topic. From assigning the sub-topics, we began our individual research for
literature sources. Each member then composed her own annotated bibliography;
all individual bibliographies were compiled to form the group annotated
bibliography.
We then began individual research
for data pertaining to our sub-topics. We each looked to find data that
supported our literary sources but were open to finding unexpected or
additional information that could ultimately enhance our project. Once we each
had our supporting data, we came together to create the fusion tables. If our
data was not already in the form of a spreadsheet, we individually created a
spreadsheet for the data of our sub-topic. Then, as a group, we merged our
tables and created our maps.
For the narrative portion of the
project, we each chose a stage in the project process to elaborate on. All
narratives were combined to form the project narrative to be utilized in our
blog. A group member then volunteered to compile all of our findings and work
to create the blog which looks further into the immigration patterns, income
levels, and birth rates within the counties of Arizona.
We worked exceptionally well as a
group while having individual responsibilities. Each member contributed to
every stage in the process and had a hand in the finished product. As we all
had our own role in the group and were equally dedicated, our project flowed,
came together, and we received the maximum benefits of the group research
activity.
Results
We found that overall after the 2008
recession income, birth rates, and immigration rates experienced positive
growth. These findings go against our original predictions of a decrease in per
capita income, birth rates, and immigration rates. However when it came to the comparison
of birth rates, immigration rates, and unemployment rates we found that they
also experienced positive growth. Which
in the case of birth rates and immigration rates did not fit with our original
prediction, but the increase in unemployment rates did fall in line with what
we expected to happen. Although we had different results than we originally
predicted it did enlightened us as to the true effects of the recession in the state
of Arizona and gave us insight as to how the population coped with the changing
environment.
Final Maps
Map 1
This first map focuses on birth rates, rates of immigration, and income per capita, per county for the year 2000.
Map 2
The next map was data on birth rates, immigration rates, and unemployment per county in 2000.
Map 3
The third map is immigration rates, birth rates, and income per capita, just as Map 1 one, but for 2010.
Map 4
Then, we created a map with the same info as Map 2, but for 2010.
