Research: Demographic basics and generational cohorts
Generational cohorts - common names and dates
The most common generational cohorts are Baby Boomers (1946 to 1964) Generation X or Gen X (1965 to 1981) Generation Y or Millenials (1982 to 2004) Generation Z (2000/2005 varying start dates to present)
Demographics - what?
The statistical data relating to a population or group.
Generational cohort questions for UAE
Which cohort are you a member of? Do you agree with the descriptions of your generational cohort? Why? Why not? Generational cohort research is primarily a North-American field. Do you think it can be applied to Emirati people? Why? Why not? What defining experiences/events are related to generations in the UAE? Eg. Before the discovery of oil. After the discovery of oil. After the unification of the UAE.
Generational cohort - basic definition
A demographic statistical group. Generational cohorts typically span 15 to 20 years. Think of it in relation to parent and child. Your generation, your parents' generation, your grandparents' generation, and your children's generation.
Race vs ethnicity - example. Confusion over the term "Asian"
Although the term "Asian" has been used to describe race, it is not technically a race. It means someone from Asia, which includes, for example, people from China, Japan, India, Saudi Arabia, and parts of Russia - different ethnic backgrounds. http://www.diffen.com/difference/Ethnicity_vs_Race
Generational cohort - Baby boomers
Approximate dates: 1946-1964 Defining characteristics: born during post war "baby boom" of the late '40s and ensuing decades, where birth rates significantly increased. Defining North American experiences: the first space flight, assassination of John F. Kennedy, Vietnam War. Core values: Grew up thinking safety was a given, High value placed on youth, material wealth, health; Generally optimistic; Value hope and peace; Believe their generation changed the world. "Boomers tend to value work more than younger generations - work is more central to their lives than younger generations." http://www.businessinsider.com/definition-of-generational-cohorts-2013-5
Generational cohort - Generation X
Approximate dates: 1965-1981 Defining characteristics: MTV generation PC and internet introduced North American examples: Grew up after Vietnam War. Grew up during recessions and Ronald Reagan presidency. The end of the Russian/American Cold War. Motivated by money - The '80s stereotype was that the generation was intensely self-involved, greedy, and narcissistic (eg. Wolf of Wall Street) Gen X more likely to be independent and value own career over organizations. Self-reliant - value autonomy Best educated generation Desire balance in their lives - Value free time and having fun - "Work to live, not live to work." Diversity viewed as the norm - Gender equality in the workplace http://www.businessinsider.com/definition-of-generational-cohorts-2013-5
Generational cohort - Generation Y (Millenials)
Approximate dates: 1982-2004 Defining characteristics: Grew up during economic prosperity Many entered workforce during recession Surrounded by rapid advance of technology, particularly Internet. More live with parents Their values just about in line with those who came before them. Attitude towards work differs; expect quick advancement, don't expect to stay at any one organization for very long. Identified as being glued to smartphones rather than engaged with world or their jobs. Most globally oriented generation Interested in health, exercise, body adornment Combined work ethic of Baby Boomers and technological know how of Generation Xers http://www.businessinsider.com/definition-of-generational-cohorts-2013-5
Generational cohort - Generation Z
Approximate dates: 1995/2005 (various start dates) to present. Don't know much about them yet. We know about the environment they are growing up in - highly diverse and high levels of technology. Eg. Very young children able to use iPad, smart phones and internet.
Demographics - example data collected
Common demographic data collected include: Age (usually reported in age groups) Gender (male/female) Race/Ethnicity (eg. white / German) Income level (usually in ranges eg. from $x to $x) Education level (eg. high school, diploma, undergraduate, etc.) Marital status (single, married, etc.)
Generational cohort - why study?
Nowadays more researchers consider generational cohorts in research because they can examine groups of people who share: Similar birth years, similar history, and similar collective personality characteristics based on their defining experiences. (Similar physical features are not a part of cohorts)
Race vs ethnicity - what is the difference?
Race: relates to biological factors. Race refers to a person's physical appearance, such as skin color, eye color, hair color, bone/jaw structure etc. Most scientific classifications of racial differences relate now mainly to skin color - eg. black, white, brown. Other biological/genetic differences are weaker according to more recent studies. Ethnicity: relates to sociological/cultural factors such as nationality, culture, ancestry, language and beliefs. Ethnicity examples are German or Spanish ancestry (regardless of race) http://www.diffen.com/difference/Ethnicity_vs_Race
Demographics - why collect?
This type of information is collected to create a clear and complete picture of the characteristics of a typical member of each group.
