Basic Guide to U.S. Statistical Information

One of the best resources to consult for statistical data is the United States Government.

Statistical Abstract of the United States http://www.census.gov/statab/www/ available online from 1995 to 2001 only - earlier editions in print. (The current edition is at the reference desk under the call number REFDESK HA 202 2001. Previous editions are on Reserve at the same call number going back to the 1930’s with some gaps.) This is the National Data Book for the United States. It contains a collection of statistics on social and economic conditions in the United States. Selected international data are also included. The Abstract is also a Guide to Sources of other data from the Census Bureau, other Federal agencies, and private organizations.

Historical statistics of the United States, colonial times to 1970. ON RESERVE CAMDN REF HA202.B87 1975 This work includes more than 12,500 time series mostly annual, providing a statistical history of U.S.social, economic, political, and geographic development during periods from 1610 to 1970. Topics include subjects such as as population, vital statistics, health, labor, prices, income, welfare, climate, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, minerals, construction, housing, manufactures, transportation, communications, energy, commerce, banking, and government, among others, plus a separate chapter devoted to colonial and pre-Federal statistics Also included are a time-period index indicating which time series begin within specified 10- or 20-year time segments and a detailed alphabetical subject index. Data later than 1970 are presented for many of the series in annual issues of the Statistical Abstract of the United States.

Census Data

U.S. Census Bureau http://www.census.gov/

Example: People→ Income→Historical Income Tables→ Households→ Table H-9 : Type of Household--Households (All Races) by Median and Mean Income →

Female Householder, No Spouse Present

Another example: Poverty→Historical Tables from the Current Population Survey: 1959-2001

Selected Historical Decennial Census 1790 to 1990

Population and Housing Counts http://www.census.gov/population/www/censusdata/hiscendata.html

Data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics

Bureau of Justice Statistics Publications http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pubalp2.htm#C

Example: Capital Punishment 2000 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/cp00.htm

Key Crime & Justice Facts at a Glance →Crime trends → Violent crime trends→ Violent crime rates have declined since 1994, reaching the lowest level ever recorded in 2001. CLICK on CHART to view Data

Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics 2000 REF HV 6787 .S68 2000 also available online at: http://www.albany.edu/sourcebook/

Statistics Database

Statistical Universe

This statistical database unifies indexing previously available through three print products, the American Statistics Index, the Statistical Reference Index, and the Index to International Statistics. Full text or web links are provided for some citations. Electronic Access is available under Indexes and Databases from the library’s homepage. http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/

Specialized Statistical Reference Sources in the Paul Robeson Library which include time series data:

Statistical handbook on Adolescents in America REF HQ 796.S8237 1996

Statistical handbook on the American Family REF HQ 536 .S727 1999

Statistical handbook on violence in America REF HN90.V5S833 1995

Statistical handbook on women in America REF HQ 1420 T34 1996

TIPS: When reading statistical tables make sure you understand how the data is presented – check the footnotes or head notes on the tables for an interpretation

Remember you are only looking for national level data for this assignment.

Created by Susan J. Beck,

susanb@camden.rutgers.edu

Paul Robeson Library,

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

Camden , NJ

October 3, 2002

For Professor J.F. Meyer

Sociology 301: Methods & Techniques of Social Research Fall 2002