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HomeGuide to Statistical Information
Statistics are useful because they can enhance one's understanding of a subject and can be very persuasive in bolstering an argument. When writing papers or giving presentations they can be an effective way for you to summarize a topic, convey meaning, or illustrate a point. Statistics on just about any topic can be found both in print sources and in online databases. This guide is meant to give you a good starting point for locating statistics in the University of Oregon Libraries and on the Internet.
In looking for statistics, one useful approach is to begin by thinking about the data you are seeking and asking yourself a few questions. What group or organization would be producing such statistics? Why would they need the data, and how would they acquire it? Would they have the means and incentive to publish it? Would they be required to report to information to a government agency (which one)? In other words, it is important to begin by considering where you might reasonably expect to find the statistical data you are seeking. Thinking about your information needs in these terms at the beginning of your search can sometimes save you hours of fruitless effort.
Finding Aids
The best single database for finding statistics is Lexis-Nexis Statistical (formerly Statistical Universe). The database has three components: the American Statistics Index, which covers U.S. Federal government statistical publications back to 1973, the Statistical Reference Index, which indexes private and state government statistical sources from 1980, and the Index to International Statistics, which covers the statistical output of international organizations. Microfiche extracts from many of the publications indexed are available in the library's Document Center - Microforms Collections (backfiles, 1980 - 2003 only).
For finding statistics relating to local areas in Oregon use the Orbis-Cascade database, Data for Local Communities.
A good print guide is Statistics Sources, the most recent edition of which is shelved in the Knight reference area. Many subject-specific research guides, such as Social Science Reference Sources, have sections suggesting where to look for statistical data.
To search the library catalog for specific publications giving statistics on a particular subject, do a subject search using the word "statistics" as a subheading. For example, education-oregon-statistics, or population-statistics. Such searches may also prove useful in searching periodical indexes.
Government Sources
Government documents are important sources of statistical data. The federal government of the United States is the worlds largest producer of statistics, and most other governments produce valuable statistics as well. For government statistics, check the following sources.
- The library's Document Center has a good page of Links to Statistical Sources, organized by level of government, by subject area, and links to other comprehensive sites.
- Lexis-Nexis Statistical (mentioned above) indexes government statistical sources.
- The Statistical Abstract of the United States is a good basic reference for U.S. statistics. It is available in print, CD-ROM, and online versions. The Document Center also has statistical yearbooks for many other countries.
- Consult with staff at the Document Center reference desk for help in locating the many other government statistical publications in the library's collections.
Library Resources
General
- Current Index to Statistics: A bibliographic index to publications in statistics and related fields. Coverage is mostly related to statistical methodology, not providing detailed tables of statistics.
- Tablebase: Tabular data on business-related topics such as market share, market size, capacity, production, etc.
by Subject
- Business Statistical Resources
- Data for Local Communities (Oregon)
- Many of the library's subject guides (available through the library home page) contain a "Facts & Figures" section that points to specific statistical sources.
Other Campus Resources
- Data Services Lab provides access to social sciences research data, including data available through the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR).
- Department of Decision Sciences (Lundquist School of Business) Internet Resources page.
Last Modified: 05/31/2007