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Statistics

How do I find statistics?

Robeson Library Statistics are difficult to find unless you consider the following questions first:
  • WHO collects or publishes the statistics?
    • International or intergovernmental agency?
    • National government agency?
    • Educational institution?
    • Commercial or Non-profit organization?
  • WHERE does the statistics cover?
    • Geographic area?
    • Industrial sector?
  • WHAT statistical measure is used?
    • Sum totals or Averages?
    • Rates vs Ratios vs Percentages
    • Index numbers and Percent changes
  • WHEN are the statistics measured or collected?
    • Variable vs Periodic?
    • Seasonally adjusted?
    • Preliminary or Revised?
    • Time period covered?

Types of Statistics

Statistical data can be grouped in many categories, including the following:
CORPORATE/INDUSTRIAL
e.g. sales revenue, net profit, industrial averages, market size
INVESTMENT/FINANCIAL
e.g. dividends, yields, interest rates, exchange rates
TRADE
e.g. exports, imports, balance of payments, foreign investment
ECONOMIC
e.g. money supply, labor force, GNP, price indices
SOCIAL/DEMOGRAPHIC
e.g. population, household income, crime rate, health
SCIENTIFIC/TECHNICAL
e.g. climate, environmental health, geophysics, chemical properties

Sources Of Statistics

Most Primary Sources are publications and databases from agencies or organizations that collected the statistics: government bodies, universities, or research institutions. Many of these sources are available on the Internet.

Secondary Sources are databases that index the primary sources, often with excerpts or summaries of the full data sets. If you do not have answers to some of the questions above, start with one of these databases to help clarify the situation.