In the audio recording below, Gary Gates from the UCLA School of Law discusses how the US Census (data collected on the entire US population every 10 years) defines same-sex couples. Listen to the recording and address the following questions separately (you may number them as short answer questions).

AUDIO:

https://www.npr.org/2011/09/27/140854973/census-releases-data-on-same-sex-couples

1. What were at least two validity concerns that came up when same-sex couples were asked to identify whether they were “married”? Specifically, discuss at least two ways in which the understanding of “marriage”  was different for same-sex couples then what is typically the case for heterosexual couples. How might these issues affect the accuracy of the data collected?

2. Imagine that you were asked by the US Census to devise a series of questions for the Census to improve the validity of data collected on the number of married same-sex couples. Write the questions you recommend and then offer a brief explanation of why you chose them.

3. Indicate one thing or give one example of something you can do to also make sure that your questions and data are reliable.