Finding Statistics
Databases
UMW Libraries Subscription Datasets and Databases with Time Series Data
ICPSR : Online repository of data sets from the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research. Data sets are the raw data obtained by researchers, such as the answers to surveys, which may be downloaded and used for new projects and applied research by ICPSR members. Full access available only to UMW faculty, students, and staff who create accounts using their UMW email addresses.
Mergent Online : Public company Excel downloadable financial statements for U.S. publicly traded and some international and privately held corporations, 1996 - present. Search and create custom reports for financial factors and other variables, such as stock prices and primary competitors.
Notes
For links to many free website with state, national and international statistics, please see the UMW Libraries' Government Documents Statistical Sources page and the Gateway and Compilation Websites below.
The databases and datasets listed at left provide access free of charge for UMW students, faculty, and staff to statistics and raw data that is generally not freely available on the Web.
With the exceptions noted, other users may access these online materials in person at UMW Libraries. Click here for UMW Libraries hours, directions, and parking information.
Suggested Statistical sources in Simpson Library
United States Census
UMW Libraries is a longtime member of the Federal Depository Library Program and receives and maintains selected government documents, including numerous Census publications. Many recent Census publications are available through free government websites.
- Find selected 1980 and 1990 Census records in the Reference section at REFB HA 201 and REFB HA 202
- Find other original U.S. Census print publications dating as far back as 1850 in the Stacks on the third floor at the call number HA 201
- Use American FactFinder on the Web to find U.S. Census statistics from 2000-present
- Use the Historical Census Browser from the University of Virginia Library to search some U.S. Census statistics from 1790 - 1960
Other U.S. Statistics
- A-Z Guide to American Consumers: Quick Links to Free Demographics REFB HC100 .C6 2008
- Statistical Abstract of the United States: The National Data Book : Annual compilation of statistics from diverse U.S. government agencies. Simpson Library has 1920, 1932, 1935, and 1939- present. Stafford Library has 1999-present. (1901 - present also available online.) REFB HA202 S71x
- Vital Statistics of the United States : Birth and death rates and other related statistics, such as age of parents and hospital births. Infant mortality. Causes of death, more. (For more recent U.S. vital statistics see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.) Simpson Library has 1945 - 1998 (occasional gaps in coverage) at HA 203 .A2
- Vital Statistics of the United States: Births, Life Expectancy, Deaths, and Selected Health Data : Commercial compilation drawn from various government and industry sources. REFB HA 203 .V58 2008
States
- Almanac of the 50 States: Comparative Data Profiles and Guide to Government Data : Biannual. Simpson Library has 1990 and 1993-present. REFB HA 203 .A5
- State Rankings : Comparisons among all 50 states in numerous categories, including agriculture, crime, education, health, social welfare, much more. Simpson Library has 1996-present. REFB HA203 .U17
Virginia
Please see UMW Libraries Government Documents Statistical Sources
International Statistical Sources
OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)
The OECD comprises 30 highly developed democracies, including the United States, Mexico, and Canada, numerous European nations, Australia, and New Zealand.
- OECD Economic Outlook : Trends and Statistics for OECD member countries. Published in June and December. Simpson Library has 1987-2008. REFB HA155 .O18
United Nations and UNESCO (UNITED nATIONS eDUCATION, sCIENTIFIC, AND cULTURAL oRGANIZATION)
- Demographic Yearbook/Annuaire Demographique : compilation of basic demographic statistics, including population, birth and death rates, and marriage and divorce. In Simpson Library: 1949-1963, with some gaps; 1969-2006. REFB HA17 .D45
- Statistical Yearbook/Annuaire Statistique : Social, economic, environmental and trade statistics, generally in ten-year time series. In Simpson Library: 1949-1981, with some gaps;. 1985-2007. REFB HA12.5 .U63
- Statistical Yearbook/Annuaire Statistique : UNESCO : Education, science, culture, and technology. In Simpson Library: 1986-1993, 1996-1999. REFB HA12.5 .U63
- Statistical Yearbook for Latin American and the Caribbean In Simpson Library: 1986-2007
- World Economic and Social Survey (Was World Economic Survey prior to 1994) Trends, policies, and supporting statistics. Recent reports focus on an area of concern, such as global economic insecurity. Simpson Library has 1992-2008. REFB HC59 .A169
- See also UMW Libraries Government Documents Statistical Sources for links to UN and UNESCO statistics online.
The United Nations is one of the few sources of statistics from all the world's nations. Due to disparities in reporting infrastructures, publication of U.N. compilations tends to be slow and statistics from lesser developed nations may be rudimentary or appear to be out of date. However, these are generally the most recent data available.
World Bank
The World Bank is the informal umbrella term used to designate several agencies of the United Nations whose purpose is to monitor and promote international development and to provide low-interest and interest-free loans and grants to low income countries.
The World Bank regularly reports statistics and trends in international development.
- World Development Indicators : Annual compilation of statistics from UN member countries on key indicators in population, the environment, education, the economy, trade, health, and more. Simpson Library has 1998-present. REFB HC 59.15 .W656
- World Development Report : Annual analysis of status of progress in international development. Includes many statistics. Simpson Library has 1978-present
- See also World Bank Data and Statistics on the Web.
Historical Statistics
United States Historical Statistics
- DATAPEDIA of the United States: American History in Numbers (Third Edition) REFB HA202 .K87 2004
- Historical Statistics of the United States: Millennial Edition REFB HA202 .H57 2006
International Historical Statistics
- The Arab World, Turkey, and the Balkans (1878-1914): A Handbook of Historical Statistics REFB HA4556 .M35 1982
- The Dictionary of Statistics : Reprint of 1899 edition of international compilation of demographic, geographic, and economic statistics REFB HA17 .M8 1969
- Historical Statistics of Canada : Generally covers 1867-1960 REFB HA 746 .U7
- International Historical Statistics: Africa, Asia & Oceania 1750-2005 (Fifth Edition) REFB HA4675 .M552 2007
- International Historical Statistics: Europe 1750-2005 (Sixth Edition) REFB HA1107 .M5 2007
- International Historical Statistics: The Americas 1750-2005 (Sixth Edition) REFB HA175 .M55 2007
- OECD Main Economic Indicators: Historical Statistics 1964-1983 REFB HC59 O6 1984
Definitions, Explanations, and Guides
- Dictionary of Statistics & Methodology: A Nontechnical Guide for the Social Sciences REFB HA17 .V64 2005
- Handbook of Research Design & Social Measurement REFB H62 .M44 2002 includes extensive section on statistical analysis of social sciences data
- The Oxford Dictionary of Statistical Terms REFB HA17 .K4 2003
- Sage Dictionary of Statistics REFB HA17 .C73 2004
- Sage Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods REFB H62 .l456 2004
- Statistics for Dummies REFB HA29 .R84 2003
notes
Simpson Library on UMW's Fredericksburg campus holds many books containing historical statistics or statistics that are not freely available on the Web.
Reference Books:
In Simpson Library, all books with a call number prefaced with REFB are located in the Reference section on the first floor.
Books without the REFB preface are located in the the Stacks.
Stacks:
- Call numbers beginning with A-L are on the Third Floor.
- Call numbers beginning with M-T are on the Second Floor.
- Call numbers beginning with U-Z are on the First Floor.
If you have any problems locating any item in the UMW Libraries, please don't hesitate to ask at the Reference desk. We are happy to help.
Click here for UMW Libraries hours, directions, and parking information.
Notes
Use these gateways to find free Web-based statistics on a world of topics.
See also How Do I Evaluate Resources?