How are race-ethnicity data collected and reported?

Modified on: Wed, Jul 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM

The first time participants complete a survey in a class, they are asked, “Which of these describes you? Select all that apply.” They can choose to identify with one or more of seven different race-ethnicity groups or opt to view more fine-grained options associated with each of the seven groups.

In order to maintain confidentiality of participants’ responses, reports break out data by the seven groups and not according to the fine-grained options. The table below displays each of the race-ethnicity groups as they appear in surveys and reports and the fine-grained response options associated with each group.

If a participant selects more than one race-ethnicity group, they are then asked a follow-up question: “Of your choices, which do you most identify with?” They may select one of the race-ethnicity groups that they previously identified or the option “I identify equally with more than one group.”

If they select one race-ethnicity group, their response will be included with that race-ethnicity category’s data on the report. If they select “I identify equally with more than one group,” their data will be included in the “Multiracial” category on the report.

Race-Ethnicity Groups in Surveys & Reports	Fine-grained Response Options
Asian or Asian-American	East Asian (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese) South Asian (e.g., Indian, Pakistani, Nepali, Sri Lankan) Southeast Asian (e.g., Burmese, Filipino, Hmong, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese) Other Asian / Asian-American
Black or African American	African-American / Black African (Black / Sub-Saharan) Caribbean Other Black
Hispanic or Latino(a)	Cuban Central American Dominican Mexican-American / Chicano Puerto Rican South American Other Hispanic / Latino(a) / Latinx
Middle Eastern or North African	Middle Eastern North African (e.g., Algerian, Egyptian, Libyan, Moroccan, Sudanese, Tunisian)
White, European or European-American	European / European-American / White Other White
Native American, American Indian, or Alaskan Native	Native American, American Indian, or Alaska Native
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Multiracial	Participants who identify equally with multiple races/ethnicities
Other Groups	Participants who identify with a race/ethnicity that was not listed
Small Groups	A combination of participants with less than 5 participants in their group
Skipped Race/Ethnicity Question	Participants who marked “I’m not sure,” “Prefer not to answer” or skipped the question

Note: Leads can disable this question in the advanced survey settings.