Selected Statistical Sources

Search the BISON Catalog limiting keywords to those in subject headings by using the ".su." command.

women.su. and statistics.su.	Retrieves books and journals that include the terms women and statistics in subject headings.
europe.su. and statistics.su.	Retrieves books and journals that include the terms europe and statistics in subject headings.

Use two additional strategies to further limit results to electronic formats(".d.fmt.") or to serials ("s.fmt."), journals and annual publications that often have reoccuring tables.

women.su. and statistics.su. and s.fmt.	Retrieves serials that include the terms women and statistics in subject headings,
education.su. and statistics.su. and d.fmt.	Retrieves electronic information that include the terms education and statistics in subject headings.

BISON may not always be the best place to locate statistics. If you have difficulty locating information in BISON, try one of the following alternatives prepared by University Libraries staff.

• Selected Statistical Sources : Portals, General Sources and Indexes
  http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/asl/guides/busdoc/statistics_portals.html
• Selected Statistical Sources : Popular Topics
  http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/asl/guides/busdoc/statistics_topics.html

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A good idea is to ask five basic questions when working with statistics.

1. Who? The universe reflects who is being counted. For instance, in census questions, does the library user want data about individuals, households, families, or housing units? Also consider which agency or any other entity might collect this type of information.
2. What? What types of data variables about the universe does the patron need? Be careful not to confuse the universe and subject variables? The universe reflects who is counted. The data variables reflect what is being counted. Also consider how the agency defines a concept. For example, the Bureau of Labor statistics measures the number of people working when counting employment, but the Bureau of Economic Analysis counts the number of jobs. People working at 2 jobs are double counted. Definitions and other methodological aids are often in footnotes, appended materials, or hyperlinked.
3. Where? What type of geography is required? (i.e., national, one state, all states, counties) If data for the desired geography is unavailable, can the patron still use another type of geography?
4. Why? As with other reference questions, knowing why the library user seeks this data is helpful. Also consider why an agency or any other entity might want to collect this information. Methodological notes usually answer this.
5. When? What is the relevant time period? Consider the person who wants unemployment statistics between 1980 and 2000. Determine if she wants data for the 2 years, 20 years, or any other segment between 1980 and 2000.

Consult the following for good overviews:

• Data Use Tutorial (Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR))
  An introduction to searching and then using data files.
• Finding and Using Data (NoodleTools, Inc.)
  Presents advice on finding data; data sources; and hints for using data more effectively. NoodleTools is a private company that aids students and professionals with their online research.
• Spotlight on Statistics (LexisNexis Statistical Universe)
  An introduction to federal government statistics that covers important agencies; basic statistical concepts; outlines of key economic, social, demographic, and environmental data; problems with federal statistics; and a glossary.
• StatSoft (StatSoft, Inc)
  Summarizes statistical concepts and procedures.

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