I know I'm probably just being sensitive but it's upsetting when all these jobs ask for your race. There should be a "Do not wish to answer" button or have "other" race and be able to type something in. I feel like they just group you with the "Mut's" when it says all these options then just "Other". What if you are half black and half white? I guess that's not important enough to be an option. hwell:
Please don't let it bother you. You are a unique and wonderful person. There is just no categorizing you!
Isn't that pretty typical of questionnaires? Here's an interesting article on "other" races. http://arstechnica.com/science/2010/11/understanding-the-other-race-effect/
Usually they advise you that those demographic questions are optional so just don't answer it. You can always send the requester feedback about why you didn't answer it as well.
Their research may be targeted to a specific population. Most social/behavioral/educational research is about demographics.
I just saw them which had "More than one" as an option in a pull-down menu, but that was a specific as you could be.
To be fair, it would take page after page of options to list every race, and every possible combination of every race. It does seem that a fill in the blank option is the most viable. On a related note, I always find it a bit amusing when they feel the white option needs extra instructions. White (non-Hispanic)