Ohio State University Libraries: Government Documents

Finding Statistical Resources

Getting Started | General Sources
International Resources | Foreign Government Resources
U.S. Government Resources | State and Local Government Resources
Other Resources

Getting Started

Ask yourself the following questions:

What is the subject of interest? (Topic)
Examples: Crime, Economics, Education, Health
Who or what is being counted? (Unit of Analysis)
Examples: Individuals, Families, Households, Businesses, Farms, States, Countries
What level of geography is desired?
Examples: World, Country, State, County, City, Census Tract, MSA, Zip Code
Do you want data for a single location or multiple locations?
Examples: Ohio, Great Lakes Region by State, All U.S. States
What time period should the data cover?
Examples: Most recent available, 1870, 1900-1950
What frequency of data do you need? (Are you looking for figures for a specific point in time or are you comparing data over a period of time?)
Examples: One time, decennially, annually, monthly, daily
What variables are of interest?
Examples: Race, Sex, Acreage, Gross National Product

Your answers to these questions will help you to determine where to look for the data. For example, the Census of Population and Housing is the only place you will find data at the census tract level. Very current data is likely to be found online. Historic data, on the other hand, is more likely to be found in print resources, particularly if you are looking for detailed statistics.

Do you want data in tabular format or data you can manipulate?
Much more data is collected than is ever presented in tables. The raw data files may be available, but usually require the use of statistical programs such as SPSS or SAS.
Who collects or produces this data? (Source)
Examples: World Bank, U.S. Census Bureau, Ohio Department of Development, Franklin County Board of Elections, Ohio State University
If you know the publication in which the figures you need were published, search OSCAR to determine whether the library has a print copy. Government agencies and organizations frequently post recent statistical data on their websites. Some maintain archives of older data. Search the organization's website for a section labeled "Statistics." If you don't see one, look for "Research" or "Publications."
- If you don't know who collected or produced the data, can you make an educated guess? (Who would need this kind of information?)
  Examples: Number of airplane crashes in the U.S. - U.S. Department of Transportation?; Number of AIDS cases by country - World Health Organization?
- If you can't guess - Try General Sources first, then
  - Are you looking for comparative statistics for several countries? Try International Resources.
  - Do you want statistics for a single country or part of a country, other than the U.S.? Possibly International Resources, but also try Foreign Resources.
  - Are you looking for statistics for the United States, regions, states, counties, cities, zip codes, or census tracts? Try US Government Resources.
  - Do you want statistics for a single state or smaller area? Many of the US Government Resources provide data for smaller geographic areas, but also try State and Local Government Resources.
  - Are you looking for opinion polls, data on religion, detailed sales figures, or other information not likely to have been collected by a government agency? Try Other Resources.

General Sources

Statistical Abstract of the United States. [Find in Library] | Online (selected volumes)

Published annually since 1878 by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Statistical Abstract is a compilation of data gathered from many sources. Most tables are at the National (U.S) level, but some state, city, foreign, and other level data is available. The volumes also provide text summaries of social, political, and economic data. The Statistical Abstract is considered to be the most authoritative source of facts about the American people, institutions, and economy.

If you did not find exactly what you need in the Statistical Abstract, did you find something similar to what you want? The source is provided at the bottom of the table. That agency or organization may have published more detailed statistics.

Note: Tables are drawn from both government and non-government sources. Tables containing copyrighted information are not available in the online version of this title.

Related titles:

County and City Data Book [Find in Library] | Online
State and Metropolitan Area Data Book [Find in Library] | Online
Historical Statistics of the United States [Find in Library] | Online
Datapedia of the United States [Find in Library]

Statistics and Data Sets.

Online source providing selected links to State, Federal, Foreign, and International Statistical Resources. The page is arranged by broad topic. Note: Unless you are looking for raw data to manipulate yourself, do not follow the Data Set links.

LexisNexis Statistical (OSU only).

Subscription database indexing statistical resources from many sources including U.S. Government, State Governments, International Governmental Agencies, Nonprofit Organizations, Universities, Research Centers, and Businesses. The database consists of two parts - Power Tables which searches only tables available full text within the database, and Abstracts which searches the complete index.

Print version: American Statistics Index (ASI) - U.S. Government; Statistical Reference Index (SRI) - U.S. States, research centers, businesses, etc.; and Index to International Statistics (IIS).

Many of the tables indexed in this database are available in the ASI, SRI, and IIS microfiche collections housed in the Main Library Microforms Area.

International Resources

The resources listed here provide statistical information on many countries. For additional resources, see How to Find International Statistics

Europa World Yearbook. [Find in Library]

Published annually since 1926, Europa provides narrative overviews of countries' recent history, government, defense and economy. Statistics on population, health, agriculture, commerce, and other topics also provided. Europa is a good place to start a search for statistics on foreign countries, especially if you only need a few basic figures. It also provides statistics for selected intergovernmental organizations.

World Development Indicators (World Bank) [Find in Library] | Online

Published annually since 1978. Tables cover economics, Gross National Product per capita, purchasing power parity, rate of inflation, government expenditures, money and interest rates, trade, demographics, fertility, education, gender comparisons, and other socio-economic characteristics. CD-ROM version also available.

Demographic Yearbook. [Find in Library]

This compilation of data supplied by the National Statistical Offices of approximately 230 countries (2001) has been published annually since 1948. It includes a world summary of population and vital statistics and marriage and divorce. Table are arranged by world region, then countries within the region. Each volume also includes a special topics section. Recent special topics have included abortion, infant and fetal deaths, and life expectancy. A CD-ROM was issued in 2000 containing 50 years of Statistics in Time Series.

Statistical Yearbook (United Nations) [Find in Library]

Published annually since 1948, the Statistical Yearbook provides data on more than 200 countries. Volumes consist of four sections - World and Regional Summary; Population and Social Statistics; Economic Activity; and International Economic Relations. Technical notes at the end of each chapter provide information on statistical sources used to compile the data and the methodologies used.

Statistical Yearbook (UNESCO) [Find in Library]

Published between 1963 and 1999. Tables are based on responses to UNESCO questionnaires and special surveys on education, science and technology, and culture and communication.

More recent figures are available on the UNESCO website. (Select "statistics" from the "Online Services" menu.)

Human Development Report (United Nations Development Program) [Find in Library] | Online

Published annually, 1990 to present. Useful for quality of life indicators. Provides statistics on child mortality, human development, and deprivation.

Illustrated Book of World Rankings. [Find in Library]

Ranks countries by geography, climate, vital statistics, and other characteristics. Also includes some rankings for world cities.

World Data Analyst (OSU Only)

Provides demographic and socio-economic statistics for countries of the world. Find current or time series data for a single country or compare multiple countries. You can also create ranked tables.

Index to International Statistics [Find in Library] Online

Indexes and abstracts statistical publications from 100 Intergovernmental Organizations, including the United Nations, OECD, and the European Union. Covers 1983 to present. Some tables are available online, most are available on microfiche.

Foreign Country Resources

Although International Resources are useful for finding statistics for countries, there may be times when you need to look at resources specific to the country of interest.

Statistical Yearbooks

Many countries publish statistical yearbooks. These volumes are usually published in the language of the country, although many include English subtitles. Examples include:

The Canada Year Book [Find in Library]
Japan Statistical Yearbook [Find in Library]
Statistisches Jahrbuch Osterreichs (Austria) [Find in Library]
Statistical Yearbook of Ireland [Find in Library]

To determine OSU Library holdings for a particular country, try a Subject Search in OSCAR for "your country statistics periodicals."
Example: "France statistics periodicals" to find statistical yearbooks for France.

Statistical Agencies

Maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau, this page provides links to other countries' statistical agencies. Note: not all countries offer English language portals.

U.S. Government Resources

The U.S. Government is a major gatherer and compiler of statistical information. More than 70 agencies produce some form of statistics, it is the sole mission of 11 agencies. The major publishers of government statistics are listed below, with emphasis on the top two producers.

U.S. Census Bureau

98% of government statistics originate with the Census Bureau. It conducts surveys for other agencies and tabulates much of the data. The Bureau offers more than 66,000 publications, many of which can be accessed via the website. Major statistical series include:

Statistical Abstract of the United States
Census of Population and Housing [Guide] | [Index]
Economic Censuses [Guide]
Census of Governments [Guide]
American Community Survey
Current Population Reports [Index]

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Statistical agency dealing primarily with labor economics, including consumer spending, wages and earnings, unemployment, employment costs, and productivity. Major statistical series include:

Consumer Price Index
Producer Price Index
Employment, Hours, and Earnings
Wages by Area and Occupation
Import/Export Price Indexes

Other Major Statistical Producers

STAT-USA (OSU only)

Produced by the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), STAT-USA brings together reports and statistics produced by many federal agencies, focusing on economics, business, and international trade. Good source for current information, little historic information is available on this site.

American Statistics Index [Find in Library] | Online

Indexes federal agency statistical publications from the 1960s to the present. Many current tables are available online. Print or microfiche copies also may be available.

FedStats

FedStats is useful for browsing broad topics. You can also use it to identify agencies publishing the most information on your topic.

Guide to U.S. Government Statistics [Find in Library]

Annotated guide to nearly 20,000 publications. It includes agency, title, area, and subject indexes. Most of the publications listed in this volume are available either at OSU Libraries or in other OhioLink Libraries.

State and Local Government Resources

Much information about states and smaller governmental units is available in federal resources. Each state, however, also collects and publishes statistics on its residents. Local governments are less likely to publish the data they collect, but may post some information on their websites. (The larger the governmental unit, the more likely it is to publish data.)

Statistics at the State and Local Level

Part of FirstGov, this site links to standard federal sources for data at these levels.

Almanac of the 50 States [Find in Library]

Published annually since 1985, the Almanac provides profiles for each state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Thirteen categories of statistics are provided including demography, vital statistics, education, housing, and the economy. Comparative tables rank the states on selected characteristics.

Statistical Abstracts

The Statistical Abstract of the United States and related titles are good places to begin searching. Many states also published their own statistical abstracts. Examples include:

Ohio Statistical Abstract. [Find in Library]
Georgia Statistical Abstract. [Find in Library]

To determine whether the library holds volumes for the state of interest, try a keyword search in OSCAR for "your state and statistical abstract."

Ohio: Census and Other Statistics

Web links to selected statistical resources with an emphasis on the State of Ohio.

Statistical Reference Index [Find in Library] | Online

Published since 1980, the SRI indexes and abstracts publications of state government agencies, universities and research centers, and nonprofit, trade, professional, and business organizations. Some tables are available online, many can been found on microfiche.

Other Resources

Many commerical, research, and nonprofit entities produce, compile, and publish statistical information. In some cases, these entities repackage data procured from government sources. Others provide data that is not available from other sources. The resources listed below are good sources for frequently requested statistics not typically found in government sources.

Public Opinion Polls and Survey Research: Website describes the most common polling sources, for example, Gallup and Roper. Links are provided to online resources.
America Votes [Find in Library]: Published biennially since 1956, America Votes provides election statistics, by State, for national and gubernatorial elections.
Religious Congregations & Membership in the United States [Find in Library]: Data for 149 regious bodies enumerated by region, state, and county and nationally. Includes number of churches, mosques, synagogues, or temples; full members, attendees, and number and percentages of adherents.
Business and Economics Databases (OSU only): Look in these databases for information on specific companies (profiles, SEC filings, etc.), market analyses, and rankings.
Ohio State University Statistical Summary: Basic statistics such as enrollment, tuition and fees, and number of employees.
Statistical Reference Index [Find in Library] | Online: Published since 1980, the SRI indexes and abstracts publications of state government agencies, universities and research centers, and nonprofit, trade, professional, and business organizations. Some tables are available online, many can been found on microfiche.
Subject Specialists: Need more help? Subject Specialists would be glad to assist you.

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URL: http://library.osu.edu/sites/reference/govdocs/stathelp.php
Please send questions and comments to: moeller.63@osu.edu
Last Modified: 6 September 2006.

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