VitalPro User's Guide - Texas Population Data (1980 - 2040)

Copyright 1998-2006 by Expert Health Data Programming, Inc.

Table of Contents

• Advantages and Benefits
• Data Within PopTrend
• Access Methods
• DSHS Network Access
• Confidentiality Policy

• Typical PopTrend Table
• Table #1 to Interpret
• Table #1, Interpreted
• Table #2 to Interpret
• Table #2, Interpreted

• PopTrend Main Menu
• PopTrend Submenus
• Geographic Submenu
• Select Another Submenu
• Years Submenu
• Produce a Table
• Save Results to Log File
• Formats for Exporting
• Explore the Data
• Continue with Analyses
• Outlines of Submenus
• Table Layout Submenus
• More Practice Analyses

• Statistic [Outcome]
• Row Variable, Row Sorting, Column Variable
• Multi-Tables
• Geo Selection [Area Sets]
• Other Variables
• Race
• Age
• Sex
• Years
• Other Settings
• Confidence Intervals
• Decimal Places
• Trend Analysis

Checklist of Key Tasks to Master

Glossary

1: Introduction

Vitalnet is a comprehensive, integrated system for analyzing health data. Texas PopTrend is the Vitalnet module for analyzing Texas population data. The software is designed to be easily used without a user's guide. However, many users learn better from a written text, and all users will benefit from a overview of what the software can do before using it.

This user's guide describes PopTrend Professional Version (VitalPro), which runs directly on a PC or LAN. Web Versions of Vitalnet (VitalWeb) are described at the www.ehdp.com web site. Either Vitalnet system will greatly ease and speed your work.

This user's guide incorporates a tutorial. Carrying out the tutorial will help you quickly become an expert at using Vitalnet. All procedures you are expected to carry out as part of the tutorial are highlighted by a different text appearance, as shown in this example:

Here's how this user's guide is organized:

Chapter 1: Introduction - Describes general characteristics of Texas PopTrend, access methods, and confidentiality requirements.

Chapter 2: Understanding Results - Explains the organization and content of PopTrend tables (the results you get from using PopTrend). Shows and explains typical tables.

Chapter 3: Using the PopTrend Interface - Describes how to use PopTrend menus to select parameters, produce tables, and save output, with examples. Guides you step-by-step to produce your first table. Outlines available menus.

Chapter 4: Texas PopTrend Parameters - Describes allowed selections for age groups, area sets (counties and regions), race groups, years, and other options.

Glossary - Defines terms related to analyzing population data and using PopTrend.

Citation for PopTrend - Expert Health Data Programming, Inc., Texas VitalPro User's Guide: Data Warehouse Software for Analyzing Texas Population Data. Renton, Washington. 1998-2006. Browse www.ehdp.com for more information about the software or to contact EHDP.

Acknowledgements - We gratefully acknowledge the cooperation and assistance of staff from the Texas Department of State Health Services and other users.

Trademarks - Birtha, Epidemic, Epigram, MedTrend, MultiCod, Oncogram, PopTrend, PregData, Vitalnet, VitalWeb, VitalPro, and VitalWeb Wizard are trademarks of Expert Health Data Programming, Inc.

Advantages and Benefits

PopTrend makes it easy to analyze Texas population data.

• Fast - You get results in seconds or minutes. Depending on the analysis, alternate methods could easily require hours to weeks to complete.

• Flexible - A wide variety of tables may be produced. Set rows and columns however you want. Standard parameters may be selected and combined as needed.

• Efficient - You can make a whole series of tables with one keystroke (multi-tables). Bar graphs allow for quick scanning for trends.

• Easy to use - Operations are menu-driven. Scrolling windows are used to select items from lists. You don't need to know any special codes such as FIPS codes.

• Well-documented - Although PopTrend has been designed to be self-explanatory, it also includes extensive on-line help. Each menu has its own help screen. Also, you may select from a list of on-line help topics, providing advice on all topics related to PopTrend. The on-line help complements the information included in this user's guide. Finally, all output is fully documented.

• Integrates with other software - Tables may be saved to a log file in ASCII format for subsequent editing and printing with any editor. You may also save PopTrend tables in CSV format or as a dBASE III file, for easy importing into data analysis, spreadsheet, mapping, graphing or other presentation software. Or, tables may be saved as HTML for display in a web browser.

Data Within PopTrend

PopTrend links and analyzes population and geographic data.

• Geographic information - PopTrend includes a database of Texas counties and regions, linked to the population data sets.

• Population data - The Center for Health Statistics at DSHS provides 1980-1999 Texas population data. The Texas State Data Center at Texas A&M provides Texas population data for 2000 and beyond. The Texas State Data Center periodically revises its estimates for years between censuses, but the changes are typically small. The population variables included within PopTrend are age, county of residence, race, sex, and year.

Access Methods

Both local and remote access are available for Texas PopTrend.

• Local access (PC's and local area networks) - If you are a Texas Department of State Health Services employee, you will typically use Texas PopTrend from the DSHS local area networks. Texas PopTrend may also be installed to a stand-alone IBM-compatible PC or laptop running any version of Windows.

Execution speed - PopTrend is fast. Analyses that might otherwise take hours to weeks to set up and run are done in seconds or minutes. For those who access Texas PopTrend on a PC network, the program execution speed depends on the type of PC you are using and the characteristics of the network you are working on. The program has been tested to work well on all IBM-compatible PC's, and simply runs faster on faster PC's.

DSHS Network Access

DSHS employees may access Texas PopTrend from the DSHS networks.

When you are done - After you finish using Texas PopTrend, you will still be logged on to your own server, so you do not need to reboot your PC. If you have a problem accessing Texas PopTrend from a DSHS network, ask your local network manager for help first.

Confidentiality Policy

Texas PopTrend users must comply with confidentiality requirements.

Confidentiality policy - Your use of Texas PopTrend indicates your agreement to the following conditions: You will not try to use Texas PopTrend results nor let anyone else use Texas PopTrend results for any purpose other than statistical analysis. If you discover the identity of a population number, you will advise the Director of the Bureau of Vital Statistics at the Texas Department of State Health Services of the incident, will safeguard or delete the information that would identify the individual, will make no use of the knowledge, and will inform no one else of the discovered identity.

2: Understanding Results

Review - Texas PopTrend is a powerful tool for analyzing Texas population data. The program compares just about anything with anything, and makes just about any kind of output table you want. Chapter 1 explained how PopTrend makes analyzing population data easy, listed the linked data sets used by Texas PopTrend, described the access methods, and spelled out the confidentiality policy.

What's in this chapter - Before jumping in and using the program (Chapter 3), it is advised to get a good understanding of the results of the program. This chapter explains the organization and content of PopTrend tables (the results you get from using PopTrend). This chapter explains the four sections of a table:

• Header - Basic analysis parameters.
• Data section - Numerical results.
• Bar graphs - Graphical results.
• Footnotes - Other analysis parameters.

In addition, this chapter shows examples of actual Texas PopTrend tables, to give you an idea of what is possible. You are given an opportunity to practice interpreting sample tables.

Typical PopTrend Table

Each table has four parts: header, data section, bar graphs, footnotes.

Population
Tabulated by Age and Sex
Years: 2000 
Place of Residence: Galveston, Harris

Age                Male      Female       Total
-----------------------------------------------
Birth-19        566,937     547,337   1,114,274
20-39           582,844     574,295   1,157,139
40-59           454,842     471,562     926,404
60-99+          155,304     202,304     357,608
-----------------------------------------------
Total         1,759,927   1,795,498   3,555,425

Horizontal Bar Graphs (X = 38,856 Population, x = 19,428):

Age         Male            Female         
-------------------------------------------
Birth-19    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXx XXXXXXXXXXXXXX 
20-39       XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
40-59       XXXXXXXXXXXx    XXXXXXXXXXXX   
60-99+      XXXX            XXXXX          
-------------------------------------------

Analysis Footnotes:
Unique ID, for Keeping Track of Analyses: 414MRQKR
Output Produced: Sat Apr 14 10:55:52 2001, by Texas VitalNet
Population Data Source (Pre-1990): TDH State Health Data (1/95)
Population Data Source (1990+): TAMU TX State Data Center (8/98)

The header documents the analysis. The table analyzes 2000 population for Galveston and Harris counties.

The data section contains the results, organized into columns and rows. In this example, there is one column for each sex and one row for each of four age groups. Verify there were 471,562 women age 40-59, 1,759,927 males, and a total of 3,555,425 residents. Each result, such as 471,562, is called a "cell".

The horizontal bar graphs represent the results in a simple graphical format. In this example, each 'X' (big X) symbol represents 38,856 population. The bar graphs are optional. The bar graphs clearly show that the greatest population is in the 20-39 age group, for both sexes.

The footnote documents less important aspects of the analysis, such as when the table was produced, and assigns a unique ID to the table for future reference.

Table #1 to Interpret

Population
Tabulated by Race-Ethnicity and Sex
Years: 2000 
Place of Residence: Galveston, Harris

Race               Male      Female       Total
-----------------------------------------------
White           814,096     846,813   1,660,909
Black           288,063     333,237     621,300
Hispanic        552,787     512,603   1,065,390
Other           104,981     102,845     207,826
-----------------------------------------------
Total         1,759,927   1,795,498   3,555,425

Horizontal Bar Graphs (X = 56,454 Population, x = 28,227):

Race        Male            Female         
-------------------------------------------
White       XXXXXXXXXXXXXXx XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Black       XXXXX           XXXXXX         
Hispanic    XXXXXXXXXX      XXXXXXXXX      
Other       XX              XX             
-------------------------------------------

Table #1, Interpreted

Population
Tabulated by Race-Ethnicity and Sex
Years: 2000 
Place of Residence: Galveston, Harris

Race               Male      Female       Total
-----------------------------------------------
White           814,096     846,813   1,660,909
Black           288,063     333,237     621,300
Hispanic        552,787     512,603   1,065,390
Other           104,981     102,845     207,826
-----------------------------------------------
Total         1,759,927   1,795,498   3,555,425

Horizontal Bar Graphs (X = 56,454 Population, x = 28,227):

Race        Male            Female         
-------------------------------------------
White       XXXXXXXXXXXXXXx XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Black       XXXXX           XXXXXX         
Hispanic    XXXXXXXXXX      XXXXXXXXX      
Other       XX              XX             
-------------------------------------------

Table #2 to Interpret

Median Population Age (Years)
Tabulated by Area Set and Sex
Years: 2000 
Place of Residence: Harris, Hidalgo, Kerr

                            Male               Female                Total
Area Set      Median, Population   Median, Population   Median, Population
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kerr              40.9    20,139       45.8    22,393       43.4    42,532
Harris            31.0 1,644,682       32.4 1,675,755       31.7 3,320,437
Hidalgo           25.3   268,839       27.3   277,812       26.3   546,651
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total             30.2 1,933,660       31.8 1,975,960       31.0 3,909,620

Horizontal Bar Graphs (X = 3.1 Years, x = 1.5):

            Male            Female          Total          
Area Set    Median          Median          Median         
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kerr        XXXXXXXXXXXXXx  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX 
Harris      XXXXXXXXXX      XXXXXXXXXXx     XXXXXXXXXXx    
Hidalgo     XXXXXXXXx       XXXXXXXXX       XXXXXXXXx      
-----------------------------------------------------------
Total       XXXXXXXXXX      XXXXXXXXXXx     XXXXXXXXXX     

Table #2, Interpreted

Median Population Age (Years)
Tabulated by Area Set and Sex
Years: 2000 
Place of Residence: Harris, Hidalgo, Kerr

                            Male               Female                Total
Area Set      Median, Population   Median, Population   Median, Population
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kerr              40.9    20,139       45.8    22,393       43.4    42,532
Harris            31.0 1,644,682       32.4 1,675,755       31.7 3,320,437
Hidalgo           25.3   268,839       27.3   277,812       26.3   546,651
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total             30.2 1,933,660       31.8 1,975,960       31.0 3,909,620

Horizontal Bar Graphs (X = 3.1 Years, x = 1.5):

            Male            Female          Total          
Area Set    Median          Median          Median         
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kerr        XXXXXXXXXXXXXx  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX 
Harris      XXXXXXXXXX      XXXXXXXXXXx     XXXXXXXXXXx    
Hidalgo     XXXXXXXXx       XXXXXXXXX       XXXXXXXXx      
-----------------------------------------------------------
Total       XXXXXXXXXX      XXXXXXXXXXx     XXXXXXXXXX     

3: Using the PopTrend Interface

Review - Chapter 1 explained how PopTrend makes it easy to analyze Texas population data, listed the linked data sets contained within Texas PopTrend, discussed the access methods, and described the confidentiality policy. Chapter 2 explained the layout of an output table, and presented sample tables for discussion and interpretation.

What's in this chapter - Finally, you will get to use the program! This is probably what you have been waiting for! You will learn to navigate the interface, select parameters, and produce a few tables like those you learned about in the previous chapter. The chapter also has a schematic overview of all Texas PopTrend menus, for your reference.

Access the program - A tutorial runs through this chapter. All procedures you are expected to do as part of the tutorial are highlighted in a different type style, as shown below. At this point, do the following:

PopTrend Main Menu

You will constantly return to the Main Menu.

The Main Menu is the "command center" - You move to submenus to modify parameters, but return to the Main Menu to make a table. The Main Menu lists all parameters currently selected, providing an overview.

Highlighting a parameter - One of the parameters, such as "Outcome", is highlighted with a "light bar" that you move by pressing an arrow key. The parameter list will scroll when you reach the bottom. Note that you do not use a mouse to run the program. Do the following:

The prompt is worth reading - The Main Menu (and every other PopTrend menu) has a prompt at the bottom with guidance on what to do next. On the Main Menu, you can press an arrow key, the ENTER key, one of two letters (P or Q), or '?' for help.

Changing window appearance if running directly on PC - The font size for the window running VitalPro may be changed from the Windows toobar, to suit your screen. The size "8 x 12", as shown, is a reasonable size. The window running VitalPro may be toggled to full screen (and back) by pressing ALT-ENTER (hold down the ALT key and press the ENTER key).

PopTrend Submenus

Access a submenu by highlighting an item and pressing ENTER.

Selecting parameter to change - To change one of the parameters, highlight the parameter (using the arrow keys) and press ENTER.

Quick changes - Some parameters have a very simple submenu. Try this:

More complex changes - For more complex parameters, a more complicated submenu will appear and help you change the parameter. For example, to change the geographic selection, you would highlight the parameter "Geographic Areas", and press ENTER. Do the following:

Geographic Submenu

Submenus guide you step-by-step in selecting parameters.

Submenu with scrolling window - This is a typical PopTrend submenu. It has a scrolling window with a list of items (currently list of selected Counties). One or more of the items may be highlighted by using the arrow keys.

Letters are action items - This submenu has a list of actions, such as " E  Delete all sets". Pressing the letter (such as 'E') carries out the action.

Adding an area - Carry out the following steps to add an area:

1. Press 'E' to delete all areas sets. You may be asked to confirm.
2. Then, press 'B' to add some areas.
3. Highlight "Public Health Region 1", and press ENTER to add.
4. Then, press ESCAPE key to return to previous menu.
5. Note that an item is added to the scrolling window.
6. Finally, press ESCAPE key to return to the Main Menu.

Select Another Submenu

Access another submenu by highlighting an item and pressing ENTER.

Make sure you're back - You should now be back at the Main Menu. Note that "Geographic Areas" has been modified (it is now set to Public Health Region 1). If you are not back at the Main Menu, get assistance from a coworker familiar with using Texas PopTrend. Next, do the following steps, to access the submenu for modifying years:

1. Use the arrow keys to highlight "Year of Population".
2. Then, press ENTER to move to a submenu for modifying the years.

Years Submenu

Submenus help you quickly and easily change parameters.

Submenu for a single range - Your screen should look similar to that shown above. This is the type of submenu used to modify a single range, such as a range of years. Next, do the following to modify the range and return to the Main Menu:

1. Press LEFT or RIGHT arrow key to change the low end.
2. Press UP or DOWN arrow key to change the high end.
3. Press HOME or END key to select the maximum range.
4. Keep modifying range until you have selected a single year, such as 2000.
5. When satisfied, press 'Z' (or ESCAPE key) to return to the Main Menu.

Produce a Table

Press 'P' at Main Menu when you are ready to make a table.

Check that you at the Main Menu - You should now be back at the Main Menu. You have used the submenus to select a few parameters, and are now ready to produce your first table!

Produce a table - From the Main Menu, you can press 'P' to produce output. Go ahead and do it:

Time required - After you press 'P' from the Main Menu, PopTrend calculates the results. The amount of time required depends on which parameters are selected and what kind of computer you are using, but is typically seconds. When PopTrend finishes calculating the results, the output table will appear in a new window, as shown above.

Examining the table - You may browse the table with the arrow keys and other cursor keys (PgUp, PgDn, HOME, END). When you are finished examining the table, press the ESCAPE key (or 'Z'). PopTrend will ask if you want to save the table to your log file (see next page). Depending on your access method and which menu options are selected, you may also be asked if you want to print the table or to save to an alternate format (CSV, dBASE III, HTML). Try this:

Save Results to Log File

Each table may be saved to your log file.

Purpose of the log file - PopTrend always has a log file ready for saving the results exactly as you see them on the screen. After you finish viewing a table, PopTrend always asks if you want to save it to your log file. If you press 'TRUE' the table will be appended to the log file (added to the end) as ASCII text. At any time, you may close the current log file and open a new one with a new name.

Log file location (local PC or LAN access) - If you are using Texas PopTrend on a PC local area network or a stand-alone PC, the log file will be saved directly on a network disk or local disk. You can save to any directory where you have write permission. PopTrend always tells you the location, such as "C:\POPTREND.001".

Word processing hints - After you finish using PopTrend, you may edit and print the log files using any word processor. Use a non-proportional font such as Courier to keep the columns aligned. If needed, adjust the page orientation, margins or font size so the text does not wrap to the next line.

Directly printing the results - Local users (stand-alone PC, LAN PC, possibly UNIX) have the additional option of immediately printing an output table. After you view the output, PopTrend may ask if you want to print the results. If you never want to print, you may disable printing from the Main Menu. NOTE: If you are connected to a network printer, your local network manager may need to enable printing from command windows.

Formats for Exporting

Results may be saved to a CSV, DBF, or HTML file.

Saving to a second format - After you finish viewing the results, PopTrend may ask if you want to save to a comma-separated-value (csv), HTML (htm), or dBASE III (dbf) file. If you want to save to one of these file formats, set the "Second Format" option on the Main Menu.

CSV file (Comma-separated-value) (best for spreadsheets) - CSV output has a comma between each output item, and each text item is surrounded by "double quotes". Bar graphs are not included in CSV output since CSV output is usually imported into presentation software capable of more sophisticated graphics. CSV format is ideal for importing into spreadsheet software.

"Population"
"Tabulated by Race-Ethnicity and Sex"
"Years: 1990"
"Place of Residence: PHR 1"

"Race","Male","Female","Total"
"--------------------"
"White",250520,269745,520265
"Black",17348,18589,35937
"Hispanic",85674,82065,167739
"Other",5259,4938,10197
"--------------------"
"Total",358801,375337,734138

"Analysis Footnotes:"
"Unique ID, for Keeping Track of Analyses: 414YARTW"
"Output Produced: Sat Apr 14 10:41:02 2001, by Texas VitalNet"
"Population Data Source (Pre-1990): TDH State Health Data (1/95)"
"Population Data Source (1990+): TAMU TX State Data Center (8/98)"

Example of CSV Output

DBF file (useful for many other applications) - Results may also be saved to a dBASE III database file (dbf extension). Database files are excellent for importing into almost any data analysis, graphics, spreadsheet, mapping or other presentation software. Field names are automatically imported along with the data. Suppressed cells are represented by the number "-1".

DBF file limitations - 1) Header and footer information listing analysis parameters is not included in database files. To help out, you may want to make the name of the dBASE file the same as the table ID, such as "405MFAQB.DBF" so you can refer to the table later. 2) No more than 128 output columns may be saved to a dBASE III file. This rarely presents a problem, because an unlimited number of rows is allowed.

Explore the Data

PopTrend allows rapid exploratory data analysis.

The analysis cycle - Exploratory data analysis means you systematically refine your analyses. Once you have made a table, look it over. If it meets your needs, save it to your log file. Possibly save the results to a CSV or dBASE III file. Next, look over the parameters on the Main Menu, highlight the parameter you want to change, and press ENTER. A submenu will lead you through the modification process. After setting all parameters as desired, return to the Main Menu and produce another table by pressing 'P'. Try it:

Hints for avoiding misinterpretation -

• Double-check table header and footer to verify it was the analysis you intended.
• Use confidence intervals to help decide if differences are statistically significant.
• Find the right balance between:
  • Aggregation (fewer rows and columns, easier to present, more stable rates).
  • Stratification (more rows and columns, more information, shows differences).
• Acknowledge limitations in population data, including:
  • Possible census miscounts.
  • Difficulty projecting estimates to years between censuses.
• Use confidence intervals to help decide if differences are statistically significant.
• If uncertainties remain, contact local data experts for advice.

Continue with Analyses

PopTrend lets you quickly carry out a wide variety of analyses.

It's easy - Once you get the hang of it, using PopTrend is a snap. If you have gotten this far, you should be able to carry out about any analysis you desire. Explore the menus - that way, you'll know what is available. Don't be afraid to experiment and try out different options. Refer to the help files and to other sections of this user's guide.

On-line help - Although PopTrend has been designed to be as self-explanatory as possible, it also includes extensive on-line help. To access on-line help from any menu, press '?'. A help screen will appear, with information related to the current menu. After viewing the help screen, a scrolling list of help topics may be viewed, for your selection. Try it:

Quitting PopTrend - The 'Z' or ESCAPE key always returns to the previous menu. Later, when you are done, you may press the 'Q' key from the Main Menu to quit PopTrend.

What other menus and options are available? - If you have done the examples in this chapter, you should have a good understanding of how to use PopTrend menus to select parameters. However, you have just scratched the surface of the capabilities and power of PopTrend. For your reference, the following pages list all of the Texas PopTrend menus. The purpose of the list of menus is to help you become aware of what is available so that you can take fullest advantage of the software. Do this:

Outlines of Submenus

Using Texas PopTrend, explore the menus listed below.

Main Menu allows you to:

1. First, design table layout:
   • Statistic Menu
   • Row Variable Menu
   • Row Sorting Menu
   • Column Variable Menu
   • Multi-Tables Menu

2. Next, modify data variables:
   • Age Groups Menu
   • Area Sets Menu
   • Race Groups Menu
   • Sex Menu
   • Year Ranges Menu
   • Other Settings from Main Menu

3. When ready, carry out an action:
   • Produce Table (s)
   • Exit PopTrend

Submenus for Designing Table Layout

Using Texas PopTrend, explore menus for designing table layout.

Submenus for Modifying Data Variables, Other Settings

Using Texas PopTrend, explore menus for modifying variables.

More Practice Analyses

1. For each practice analysis, select the parameters as shown below.
2. Then, press 'P' from the Main Menu to produce output.

4: PopTrend Parameters

Review - In the previous chapters, you have learned what PopTrend is and how to use it. Chapter 1 explained that PopTrend analyzes Texas population data, listed the linked data sets, discussed access methods, and outlined confidentiality requirements. Chapter 2 described the layout and interpretation of an PopTrend output table. Chapter 3 showed how to use the interface to select parameters and produce output tables.

What's in this chapter - This chapter lists and explains the parameters and special options you may modify using the Texas PopTrend interface. PopTrend allows great flexibility in selecting and modifying parameters. The program allows you to mix and match parameters just about any way needed. Also, PopTrend prevents you from selecting incompatible parameters.

Here are the parameters, options and concepts covered in this chapter:

• Age groups
• Confidence intervals
• Decimal places
• Geographic selection (area sets)
• Multi-tables
• Race
• Sex
• Statistic (outcome)
• Table columns
• Table rows
• Table row sort settings
• Trend analysis
• Years

Statistic [Outcome]

The statistic is the basic type of number in a table.

What is a statistic? - Every table has a statistic. The statistic (or outcome) is the basic type of data generated in an output table.

Available Statistics -

• Population
• Median population age
• Percent population in age group

Row Variable, Row Sorting, Column Variable

Table rows and columns may be set however you want.

Rows and columns - Rows are horizontal lines in a data table. Columns go up and down.

Every table has a row variable and a column variable. Rows and columns may be set to any of the following:

Sorted rows - Any table may be sorted as follows:

• Rows in standard order (not sorted by data). For example:
  • Area sets in alphabetical order, such as Bexar before El Paso.
• Rows sorted from high to low, by total data
• Rows sorted from low to high, by total data

Multi-Tables

You may automatically produce a series of tables.

Population
Tabulated by Race-Ethnicity and Sex
Years: 1990 
Place of Residence: Anderson

Race            Male   Female    Total
--------------------------------------
White         17,023   15,656   32,679
Black          7,714    3,387   11,101
Hispanic       2,910    1,037    3,947
Other            174      123      297
--------------------------------------
Total         27,821   20,203   48,024

*** Tables omitted to save space ***

Population
Tabulated by Race-Ethnicity and Sex
Years: 1990 
Place of Residence: Zavala

Race           Male   Female    Total
-------------------------------------
White           446      511      957
Black           277        8      285
Hispanic      5,392    5,482   10,874
Other            26       20       46
-------------------------------------
Total         6,141    6,021   12,162

Purpose of multi-tables - Suppose you want to make a separate table for each county. It would be tedious to select the first county, make a table, select the second county, make a table, etc. Multi-tables automates the production of such a series of tables into one operation. The multi-table setting may be one of the following:

• Only one table (the default)
• One table per selected age group
• One table per selected area set
• One table per selected race set
• One table per selected year set

Geo Selection [Area Sets]

Every table has a geographic specification.

Geographical Areas - Texas PopTrend analyzes data to the county level. Texas has 254 counties, organized into regions (a group of several counties), as follows:

    · 11 Public Health Regions (PHR's) (Effective 3/1/93)
    · 24 Councils of Government (COG's)

You may select any combination of areas - PopTrend makes it easy to compare results between different groupings ("sets") of geographic areas (Counties and County groupings), or limit analysis to specific geographic areas. One or more geographic areas may be combined into an area set, and compared with other sets.

Selection is quick and easy - All geographic operations are grouped together on one submenu, to allow quick and easy selection of any combination of areas desired. A previous interface snapshot shows the main geographic menu.

Other Variables

Race Groups

Each is classified as White, Black, Hispanic, or Other, as follows: 1) If race is reported as Black, the category is "Black". 2) If race is reported as Chinese, Japanese, Hawaiian, Filipino, Asian Indian, Korean, Samoan, Vietnamese, or Guamanian, the category is "Other". 3) Of the remainder, those said to be of Hispanic origin are counted as "Hispanic". 4) Of the remainder, if race is reported as Other, North American Indian, Central or South American Indian, or not classifiable, the category is "Other". 5) All remaining are classified as "White".

Age Groups

PopTrend lets you combine and analyze age groups in just about any way needed. You may select any contiguous combination of age groups to analyze, such as 22-34. Or, you may select a set of ranges, such as birth-19, 20-39, 40-64, 65-99+.

The program will let you know which age groups are available for use. Standard age groupings, such as 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year age groups are easily selected. Age groups may be combined in just about any way desired.

Up to age 21, 1-year ages are used (for example, 3 or 11-17). For 22 and over, an age group may use any combination of 5-year groups (for example, 40-44 or 30-49). The highest group is currently 75-99+ (75 and over).

Sex

You may select Male, Female, or both sexes combined.

Years

You may select any continuous range of one or more years to analyze, such as 1980-1983. In addition, you may select a set of year ranges for comparing, such as 1990-1991, 1992-1993, 1994-1995. The program will let you know which years are available for use. Standard groupings, such as 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year groups are easily selected. Year groups may be combined in just about any way desired.

Other Settings

Confidence Intervals

Confidence interval definition - A confidence interval (also known as confidence limits) is the range of values within which the true value of a variable is thought to occur, with a specified confidence level (95%, 90%, 80%, etc.). A higher confidence level (for example, 99%) is more stringent and results in a smaller interval than a lower confidence level (for example, 80%). Use the 95% confidence level unless you have a reason to do otherwise.

Methods for confidence intervals - Confidence intervals for trend analysis are calculating using Student's t-distribution.

Decimal Places

PopTrend also allows specification of the number of decimal places in your results. For example, the number 64.29 has two decimal places. The number 64 has zero decimal places.

Trend Analysis

PopTrend automatically carries out trend analyses.

Purpose of trend analysis - When analyzing data with a year for each row, you usually want to know: Is there a trend up or down? Is the rate increasing or decreasing? Statistical analysis is helpful in quantifying the answer.

Least-squares line shows the trend - PopTrend automatically carries out a "least-squares" analysis for a time series. This finds the best straight line to describe the data for each data column. The line is defined by the value for the first year ("TRUE-intercept"), and the amount of change per year ("slope").

Confidence intervals show if significant trend - PopTrend calculates a confidence interval for the slope. If the confidence interval doesn't include 0, there is a significant trend.

Simplified presentation - PopTrend allows the user to substitute a simplified presentation (not shown) that only says whether the trend is significantly up or down for each column.

Population
Tabulated by Year and Sex
Place of Residence: Texas

Year                 Male       Female         Total
----------------------------------------------------
1995-1997      28,369,279   28,922,310    57,291,589
1998-2000      29,726,292   30,373,548    60,099,840
2001-2003      31,240,811   31,934,698    63,175,509
----------------------------------------------------
Total          89,336,382   91,230,556   180,566,938

Horizontal Bar Graphs (X = 2,128,980 Population, x = 1,064,490):

Year         Male            Female         
--------------------------------------------
1995-1997    XXXXXXXXXXXXXx  XXXXXXXXXXXXXx 
1998-2000    XXXXXXXXXXXXXX  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
2001-2003    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXx XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
--------------------------------------------

Detailed Least-Squares Analysis, to Detect Linear Trend:

 Column    1995-1997 Y-intercept        Slope    95% CI (1 df, t=12.706)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Male               28,343,028   +1,435,766    +858049 to +2013483 **
 Female               28,903,991   +1,506,194    +1103047 to +1909341 **
  Total               57,247,019   +2,941,960    +1961096 to +3922824 **
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Y-intercept and slope may be used to draw least-squares line.
If confidence interval (CI) does not include 0, trend is significant [**].

• Select outcome (primary statistic)
• Select row variable and sorting

• Select column variable
• Select multi-tables

• Select some race sets
• Delete a race set

• Combine some sets
• Split a race set

• Select some area sets
• Delete an area set

• Combine some sets
• Split an area set