Agreement on Race Estimation in Orthodontic Patient Records
Author Information
Author(s): Edgar Heather J. H., Daneshvari Shamsi, Harris Edward F., Kroth Philip J.
Primary Institution: University of New Mexico
Hypothesis
How consistently do observers estimate the race of individuals based on orthodontic records?
Conclusion
Observers generally agree on the race of individuals, especially for African and European Americans, but less so for Asian, Hispanic, and Native Americans.
Supporting Evidence
- Agreement on race estimation is high for African and European Americans.
- Observers often agreed that names are important indicators for estimating race.
- Skin color was not consistently seen as the primary indicator of race.
Takeaway
When looking at patient records, different people can agree on someone's race, but they don't always agree for everyone, especially for Asian and Hispanic people.
Methodology
The study analyzed orthodontic patient records using multiple observers who estimated race based on names, addresses, and photographs.
Potential Biases
Observers' own racial backgrounds may influence their estimations of race.
Limitations
The observers were not a representative sample of the U.S. population, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Observers were primarily European American undergraduates and graduate students from the University of New Mexico.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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