Bomhold_CH10_Scan.docx

INTRODUCTION Many agree with the notion expressed in the quotation above. On the other hand, we know of people who believe that statistics do not lie. It is safe to say that neither of these two positions is altogether true. The fact is that statistics, if valid, are considered primary-source infor...

INTRODUCTION Many agree with the notion expressed in the quotation above. On the other hand, we know of people who believe that statistics do not lie. It is safe to say that neither of these two positions is altogether true. The fact is that statistics, if valid, are considered primary-source information used to support research. It is also true that the researcher must evaluate statistical sources (just as they would any other information) as to reliability and usefulness. There are generally two definitions of statistics: (1) the science that deals with the collection, classification, analysis, and interpretation of numerical facts and data; and (2) the actual numerical facts or data. Some sources present raw data, such as population or test scores, etc.; others have data that have been massaged, or interpreted by others, then presented to support a hypothesis. The United States government is the chief source for statistics gathered in the United States, but it is not the only source. Every level of government gathers statistics: international, national, state, and local. Organizations and businesses also collect them. This chapter serves as a guide to finding statistical data and offers suggestions for evaluating statistical information. Many of the examples focus on the topic "effects of television advertising on children" to illustrate a search for statistical information on an actual topic. WHY USE STATISTICS? Statistics are a vital element in effective research. o Scientists use statistical data to support or refute a hypothesis. 0 Businesses use statistics to survey market potential. 0 Economists analyze present conditions and forecast economic trends by using statistics. o Social scientists use statistical data to understand and predict many types of human behavior. USE AN INDEX TO STATISTICAL SOURCES There are a number of indexes to statistics. Use a subject search in the online catalog to locate these. Example united states—statistics—abstracts use one of the indexes listed in this chapterw Figure 10.1 is taken from the printed Index of the 2002 edition of Statistical Abstract of the United States. The numbers in the Index refer to table numbers instead of page numbers as in most indexes. The references to tables under the subject "Television Broadcasting, Advertising Expenditures," includes Table #1271, shown in Figure 10.2, which indicates how much advertisers spend putting their products before the consumer. The following general statistical indexes may be used as starting points. American Statistics Index (ASI). Bethesda, MD: LexisNexis, 1973—. A two-part (index and abstracts) guide to statistical information published by the U.S. government. Citations include the Superintendent of Documents call number as well as a microfiche reference number to the microfiche collection published by Congressional Information Service (CIS) to accompany the index. Index to International Statistics (IIS). Bethesda, MD: LexisNexis, 1983—. A similar index to ASI, covering statistical sources of the United Nations and its allied agencies, foreign governments, and international government organizations. 303 Figure 10.2 0 Specific table reference located in Figure 10.1 for television advertising expenditures. LexisNexis Statistical Datasets. Bethesda, MD: LexisNexis, 1973—. Provides online access to U.S. government statistics through American Statistics Index, includin o Statistical Abstract ofthe United States; Statistical Reference Index; and Index to International Statistics. Proquest Statistical Insight. Ann Arbor, MI: Proquest, 2012. Covers statistical publications of state and local governments, professional and trade organizations, and some commercial publishers. Statistical Abstract of the United States. Washington: GPO, 1878—. Published by the Bureau of the Census since 1878, it is considered by many to be the single most useful reference book on statistics. It provides a large number of statistics covering social and economic conditions in the United States as well as selected data for states, counties, cities and foreign countries. Although not an index in the true sense of the word, Statistical Abstract does serve as a guide to more extensive data that is published in reports from government and private agencies. The statistics are presented in tabular form with the source indicated below each table. Statistical Abstract is available in paper and CD-ROM format and on the Internet. The book is arranged by broad topics with a subject index at the end. Many of the tables provide statistical data for more than one year, usually 10 or more. PERIODICAL INDEX Although you could probably find statistics in a print index, it is much more effective to search for statistical sources in an electronic source. Periodical indexes, abstracts, and databases are discussed in detail in Chapter 8. 305 Figure 10.3 Keyword search results for "television advertising and sales" in EBSCOhost Business Source Elite. Figure 10.4 Q) Results of a subject search for "statistics" in the Nebraska State College Library System online catalog. It is often helpful to review the list of related subjects, as shown in Figure 10.5, for a more focused search. Cross-reference (see also) notes provide direction to new terms that can then be searched. Figure 10.5 gives the beginning of a list of results found by clicking on the "related subjects" link. 309 Figure 10.6 illustrates the results of a broad search for the subject "united states—statistics," where United States is used as the subject and statistics as the subdivision. This format may be used for city, state, national, or international areas. A geographical subject heading achieves a more focused result than using a general search for "statistics." Figure 10.6 (C) Subject search for "united states statistics," indicating various subdivisions, including "United States Statistics Periodicals." Within the list retrieved under the broader term "united states statistics," notice the subdivisions "bibliography," "databases," "medical," and "united states statistics periodicals." This last item would provide reliable, current statistical information on a variety of topics. The entries shown in Figure 10.7 can be found either in the reference collection of your local library or online. Each has an index or search feature for browsing by subject or topic for statistics. Entry number 4 is the paper copy of Statistical Abstract of the United States; entries for the online versions are listed later. Statistical Abstract is the foremost index for U.S. statistics. A list of sources at the end of this chapter provides general guides and specific titles of statistical sources. Has the data been repackaged several times so as to distort its reliability? Government data is frequently repackaged by a commercial entity and might not include all of the original data. Is this a "time series"? Data gathered over a long span of time is referred to as a time series. It is usually considered to be a reliable source. In many cases, the research project calls for data that has a timeline. Is the data from a primary or a secondary' source? (See Chapter 2.) If it is from a secondary source (for example, a periodical article), is the source documented? The following two examples illustrate the importance of evaluating statistical information: At first glance these sites might appear to be authentic, scholarly presentations. Upon careful examination, however, you will note errors, incorrect citation formats, and inaccurate information. These two sites are obviously designed to be used to teach the importance of evaluating statistical sites, but there are many such sites of similar merit that do not have the same honorable intention. With the wealth of information now available in a vast array of formats, it is becoming more important than ever that you are critical in selecting information sources. Statistical information, whether it is to introduce, support, or draw conclusions about your research, must be accurate, current, and appropriate for your needs to be effective. SELECTED SOURCES FOR STATISTICS Note: Many print titles are now available electronically. GUIDES Chance. http://chance.amstat.org/ Information on basic statistical concepts. Internet Glossary of Statistical Terms. http://www.animatedsoftware.com/statglos/statglos.htm Glossary with links to related sites. Statistics Every Writer Should Know. http://www.robertniles.com/stats/ GENERAL FedStats. http://www.fedstats.gov Maintained by the Federal Interagency Council on Statistical Policy. Over 70 agencies. Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970. Washington: GPO, 1976. Two volume source that contains a wide range of historical statistics for the U.S. Includes economic, political, social, and demographic data. Some tables start with the colonial period. Historical Statistics of the United States: Two Centuries of the Census, 1790—1990. Comp. Donald B. Dodd. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1993. This work includes bibliographical references. Crime and Criminals Bureau of Justice Statistics. http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/ Crime & Justice Electronic Data Abstracts. http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/dtdata.cfm Death Penalty Information Center. http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/ A non-profit organization serving the media and the public with analysis and information on issues concerning capital punishment. NCJRS Abstracts Database. https://www.ncjrs.gov/library.html Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics. http://www.albany.edu/sourcebook/ Tables give figures on prisons, prisoners, types of crimes, arrests, money spent on law enforcement, and much more. Uniform Crime Reports. Federal Bureau of Investigation. http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/ucr Demographics American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index. xhtml Population, housing, economic, and geographic data for states and United States as a whole. Census of Population and Housing. GPO, 2010. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/decennial/ The U.S. Bureau of the Census "counts" the citizens of the United States every ten years. The data gathered includes social and economic characteristics of the population as well as head counts. The first decennial census was taken in 1790 and has continued ever since. In between the ten-year periods, the Bureau of the Census conducts surveys to obtain ongoing estimates of the population. CIA World Fact Book. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html Country fact information from the CIA, updated periodically throughout the year online. County and City Data Book. Washington: GPO, 1949—. Supplement to the Statistical Abstract of the United States, gives a wide variety of demographic, social, and economic statistics for regions, divisions, states, counties, and SMSAs (Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas). Current Population Reports. Washington: GPO, dates vary. https://www.census.gov/main/www/cprs.html Series of reports from the U.S. Census Bureau. P-20 series deals with population characteristics; P-23 covers special subjects. Sourcebook of County Demographics. CACI Marketing Systems, 1990—. Continues Sourcebook of Demographics and Buying Power for Every County in the USA. State & County QuickFacts. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/ Click on a state for basic demographic information, geography, and business statistics. State Population Projections. http://www.census.gov/population/www/projections/stproj.html U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/ Education and Youth Condition of Education. http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/ The Core Data Task Force Report. Washington: U.S. Department of Education, 1997. Report prepared by the Core Data Task Force of the National Education Statistics Agenda Committee, National Forum on Education Statistics. Digest of Education Statistics. Washington: GPO, 1975—. http://nces.ed.govfflrograms/digest/ Detailed coverage of public, private, vocational, and higher education statistics.