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Slide 2 By Larry Souders LBSC 5613 Library Networks and Databases Slide 3 Statistics Wow Who was the greatest hitter for average in baseball? Who gained the most yards in the NFL? Who was the best rebounder in the NBA? Who won the most Indy 500s? How many people live in my city, my state, or in the United States? What percentage of high school freshmen graduate? How many people live to be one-hundred years old? How many married people get divorced. How many births are multiple births? What is the average income of people who graduated from high school compared to the income of those who didnt? When you learn how to utilize statistical research you will be able to answer all of these questions and many more. Slide 4 Statistics Defined Let us begin with Merriam-Websters definition of statistics; a branch of mathematics dealing with the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of masses of numerical data. Now add sources, once again turning to Merriam-Websters; a first hand document or primary reference work. The sum of these two words equal statistical sources which are reference works indicating the recording of specific enumeration of specific events or facts. There are many statistical sources. This tutorial is designed to enable the user to locate and use these sources for specific tasks or self enlightenment concerning the questions posed. Slide 5 Statistical Realms Census History Economics Tests & Measurements Competition Geography Health Entertainment Criminology Mortality Slide 6 Uncle Sam Our Federal Government collects data. This collection of data enables the operating arm of the departments of government to forecast trends and budget accordingly. Every ten years a census is made of the population this is the count that creates the number of representatives each state may send to congress. But Uncle Sam makes counts of many more things than population. These counts show trends in agriculture, health care, education, housing, and much more. These counts become statistics. These statistics become available resources through both printed documents and electronic domains. Slide 7 Best of the Best Statistical Resources Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Facts about the States Statistics in Sports The National Center for Education Statistics Nation Master.com Astounding and easy to use A statisticians dream A well-designed site An excellent ready- reference for students This site collects data from a number of official sources and makes it available to you Slide 8 Statistical Sources Non- Print You can access the Statistical Abstract of the United States on line at: http://www.census.gov/Statab/www A geographical statistical source. http://www.census.gov/Statab/www The electronic source for United States historical statistics can be found at: http://www.csep.ucr.edu/HSUS/HSUS.htmlhttp://www.csep.ucr.edu/HSUS/HSUS.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/datastatistics/ http://www.cdc.gov/datastatistics/ Provides Data & Statistics Resources, Vital Statistics, State and Territorial Data by State along with Fast Stats A to Z. USA.gov Government Made Easy http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Reference_Shelf/Data.shtml http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Reference_Shelf/Data.shtml Data and statistics - General Reference Resources Godort International - U.S., Federal, State, & Local http://www.library.vanderbilt.edu/romans/fdtf/statistics.html http://www.library.vanderbilt.edu/romans/fdtf/statistics.html Government statistics. General and specific subjects. Slide 9 Statistical Sources Non-Print cont. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Statistical Information http://www.hhs.gov/reference/index.html#statistics http://www.hhs.gov/reference/index.html#statistics A good source for population, injury data and vital records resources. Nation Master.com http://www.nationmaster.com/index.phphttp://www.nationmaster.com/index.php A central data source and a great way to graphically compare nations. National Center for Education Statistics http://nces.ed.gov/http://nces.ed.gov/ Primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education. Statistics in Sports http://www.amstat.org/sections/sis/http://www.amstat.org/sections/sis/ Sports data resources. FedStats http://www.fedstats.gov/http://www.fedstats.gov/ 100 agencies available to citizens everywhere Slide 10 Statistical Sources Print The 2010 Statistical Abstract: The National Data Book. (2009). Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. ISBN: 9780160795848. Includes statistics concerning: population, human services, and employment. State Rankings 2010. A statistical View of America. Morgan, K.O. & Morgan, S. (2010). Washington, D.C.: CQ Press. State comparisons of education, economy, taxes and more. Facts about the States. Second Edition. Kane, J. N., Anzovin, S. & Podell, J. (1993). New York: H.W. Wilson. Find out where your state ranks in most people incarcerated, on death row, single mothers, etc. Historical statistics of the United States, colonial times to 1957 Publication: Washington, D.C. : U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 1960 This publication is a vital source of statistics concerning the earliest data collected by the current governments in that era. Nascar Record & Fact Book 2006 Edition. Bodendieck, Z. et. al. (Eds.). (2006). St. Louis, MO: Sporting News. ISBN-10: 0-89204-802-6. Statistical Nascar history from 1948-2005. Slide 11 Statistical Sources Print cont. 2005 NFL Record & Fact Book 86 th Season. Liu, R. (2005). New York, NY: Time Inc. Home Entertainment. ISBN-1-932994-36-X. Includes a special inside the numbers statistical section. Prove It With Figures: Empirical Methods in Law and Litigation. Zeisel, H & Kaye, D. (1997). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co. ISBN-10: 0387948929. A primer on statistically based fact finding that is conducted for purposes of litigation. Statistical Science in the Courtroom. Gastwirth, J. L. (2000). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co. ISBN-10: 038798978. Statistics for Social Science and public policy. Plunketts Entertainment & Media Industry Almanac 2010. Plunkett, J. W. (2010). Houston, TX: Plunkett Research Ltd. ISBN-10: 10593921616. This book includes statistical tables covering revenues for several industry sectors. The Official Carry On Facts, Figures & Statistics. Snelgrove, K. (2008). United Kingdom: Apex Publishing Ltd. ISBN-10: 1906358095. A complete statistical analysis of the Carry On films. Slide 12 Statistical Source Lesson for the Classroom HS Senior Business Communication Class Each student will be asked to write one paragraph describing their most specific interest. The interest can be sports, movies, music, travel, history, geography, plans after graduation etc. The students will then be asked to study this tutorial. When they have studied this tutorial they will be asked to find and locate specific statistical facts concerning their interest These facts are to be listed with an explanation of what these facts meant to them. The list should include the finding and the resource used in the practice of discovering statistical data. Slide 13 Locating a Statistical Resource You have had presented to you many examples of statistical resources. However, the statistical resource you desire the most may not be included in the examples. What to do? As your librarian I am going to give you some hints. Using these hints and your ability to read with discernment you will find that you can locate the particular statistical data that you are seeking. Also never give up, and if you do not find anything using these hints call your reference librarian either at the university or at your local public library. Slide 14 Hints for Finding Resources Go to a search engine. Google, Yahoo, etc. Type in: Official (your subject) statistics. You will get back a list. Read where this list comes from and decide if it is valid or if it is not worth pursuing. You will also find through your reading that there might be a better way to address your search. Continue this process until you find your sought after data. If you are still having problems call a professional (your reference librarian). This librarian will not only assist you she/he will be glad to give you help in learning how to find your resource if you request said help. Slide 15 Conclusion Statistical data is used in nearly every form of business and education. It is also used in communication and in everyday conversation. You might be surprised to listen to yourself and hear coming from your mouth some kind of statistical statement. Wouldnt it be worth while to know that you are giving correct information. Check the data and you will suddenly realize that maybe you need to research before you speak or write it. I would like to recommend that you read, The First Measured Century by Caplow, Hicks, and Wattenberg. It is a powerful book describing how number crunching is part and parcel of our everyday lives. Slide 16 Bibliography Reference Cassell K. A. & Hiremath, U. (2006). Reference and information services in the 21 st century. New York, NY: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc. Stebbins, L. F. (2006). Student guide to research in the digital age. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. Digital Library Services at OSU http://www.library.okstate.edu/dls/index.htm http://www.library.okstate.edu/dls/index.htm Rowley, J. & Hartley, R. (2008). Organizing knowledge: An introduction to managing access to information. Burlington, VT: Ashgate. Feather, J. (2008). The information society: A study of continuity and change. London: Facet Publishing. Caplow, T., Hicks, L. & Wattenberg, B. J. (2001). The first measured century: An illustrated guide to trends in America, 1900-2000. Washington, D.C.: The AEI Press. Slide 17 My Stats Top 100 best looking men 2005.2008,2010 And your Narrator