Data revisions, updates and errata

Published: 06.05.2020 Updated: 06.09.2020

We occasionally update published data files to implement minor revisions, provide additional data, and correct errors. We retain copies of previous versions, which are available on request.

June 2020

Revisions to Child Opportunity Index 2.0 database

  • Due to an internal data processing error, two indicator z-scores were not reversed, i.e., multiplied by (-1) as described on page 15 of the Technical Document. The indicators affected are “hazardous waste dump sites” and “industrial pollutants in air, water or soil.” Correcting this error had downstream effects that marginally altered indicator weights in the health and environment domain, the health and environment domain overall average z-scores, domain average z-score weights and the overall average z-score. The impact on overall Child Opportunity metrics is marginal, however, because the indicators affected count relatively little within the affected domain. Initially published and revised overall z-scores are very highly correlated. Initially published and revised overall Child Opportunity Scores are very highly correlated (Pearson’s rho = 0.99, national, state, and metro normed scores). After the data were recalculated, a small percentage of children were assigned to a different overall Child Opportunity Level: 4.9% (nationally normed), 5.0% (state normed) and 2.7% (metro normed). These reassignments occurred across adjacent levels, e.g., from low to moderate, or very high to high, reflecting small changes in z-scores which shifted the opportunity levels of only those neighborhoods with scores on the cusp of a level boundary. 
  • We published revised versions of the COI 2.0 raw indicator file. In the original file, all variables were top- and bottom-coded, in accordance with our data processing protocols. However, for greater transparency, the revised data file includes variables without top and bottom codes. Moreover, the original file only included census tracts for which COI 2.0 metrics were calculated (see page 14 of the Technical Document). The revised data file contains all 2010 census tracts, including those with missing values.
  • We published revised versions of the child population data files. The previously published version only included census tracts for which COI 2.0 metrics were calculated (see page 14, for details). The revised data file contains all 2010 census tracts. 
  • We published revised versions of the COI 2.0 component indicators z-scores. The revised data file contains additional variables, namely the indicator z-scores used to construct the economic resource index that is part of the social and economic domain. 
  • We published replication materials on our Github page. Using Stata 14 or higher, users can now replicate calculation of z-scores, domain and overall average z-scores, as well as Child Opportunity Scores and Child Opportunity Levels.