Chi-Square and the Cramer’s V

Table 1 show that relationship between items seized and the race of drivers from 2014-2015 statistical data from Maricopa County Sheriff Offices’ annual report. 

Table 1 : Relationship between items seized and race 

The chi-square statistic was critical in determining whether race is depended on the driver’s item seized (Kiliç, 2016). The chi-square is significant with a value of p<0.01.The chi-square results were substantial meaning that there is a relationship between item seized and the race of the driver (Sharpe, D. (2015). The chi-square results shows that Maricopa County’s Sheriff Offices make arrests of drivers from different races whose items are linked to the races. In other words, there is relationship between item seized to white, unknown, black, Hispanic, native, American, and Asian races. 

The descriptive statistics indicate that item seized arrests were rampant in some ethnic groups and less in others. The results means that the geographical location which in turn determines the race to a large extent affects probability of a driver being arrested for item seized. 

Importantly, the chi-square does not determine particular such as the type of race that gets arrested more often nor does it give strength and direction of the relationship (Bell, 2017). Nevertheless, it is evident that some of the arrests on items seized made in the county are based on the race of an individual driver. The chi-square results show that some officers in the county violate policies and procedures set in place. In other terms, some officers are biased and have stereotyped minds that lead them to have impaired judgments when making arrests. 

Cramer’s helps in determination of the strength of the relationship between variables. From the chi-square results, there is significant statistical relationship between race and item seized. The Crammer’s V shows have a value of 0.48 implying that the relationship is not strong. According to Fort Collins Science Center, Cramer’s V values ranging from 0 to 0.29 show weak relationships, values ranging from 0.3 to 0.59 indicate moderate relationships, while values that range from 0.6 to 1.0 imply strong relationships. The Cramer’s V relationship in Maricopa County’s Sheriff Offices data shows a weak relationship. Therefore, it can be concluded that while there is a relationship between arrests based on item seized and race, the relationship is weak, otherwise small. 

The Cramer’s V results are critical as they help in understanding the extent to which officers and deputies at Maricopa County’s Sherriff offices are acting against what is required of them (Kearney, 2016). The weak relationship between item seized and race indicate that only a small number of the officers are performing below the average requirement. 

Implication of the results, both chi-square and Cramer’s V show that there are a few officers that have problems when arresting drivers based on their ethnicity. Additionally, chances of drivers arrest depend on where they are located. As such, Maricopa County’s Sheriff Officers need to be reexamined on especially administration and outlined policies and procedures. Further, strategies such as training can be used to help inform the officers on the biases associated with stereotypes towards certain ethnic groups. 

References 

Bell, R. Q. (2017). A reinterpretation of the direction of effects in studies of socialization. In  Interpersonal Development  (pp. 93-107). Routledge. 

Kiliç, S. (2016). Chi-square test.  Journal of Mood Disorders ,  6 (3), 180. 

Kearney M. (2016). Cramér’s V. Researchgate.. 

Sharpe, D. (2015). Your chi-square test is statistically significant: Now what?.  Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation ,  20 . 

Statistical Interpretation | Fort Collins Science Center. (2018). Fort.usgs.gov. Retrieved 6 April 2018, from https://www.fort.usgs.gov/sites/landsat-imagery-unique-resource/statistical-interpretation