Thematic statistics

The Robinson Library is an excellent source for such documents, periodicals, and statistical volumes. For example, it has available on level 4 the CD-ROM database holding the 1981 and 1991 Census Small Area Statistics and Local Base Statistics for England, Wales & Scotland. Library Search gives a listing of all the printed statistical sources held on the Census, along with the other subject specific statistical material.

There are now greater expectations of finding substantive material on the Internet and information providers and publishers increasingly recognise this:

  • For those interested in statistical information on religions both past and present, Adherents.com has figures on over 4,000 religions, churches and faith groups. Statistics here are from both primary research sources such as government census reports and statistical sampling surveys, as well as citations from secondary literature.
Organisational websites not only contain useful figures in bibliographies and study descriptions, but can also provide statistical publications that can be downloaded free of charge. Some (although unfortunately not all) will also make clear the statistical methodology employed in their collection. Good cases in point are:
  • World Bank
  • World Health Organisation Statistical Information System provides access to Health and health-related statistical information from the WHO Global Programme on Evidence for Health Policy
  • Economic and Social Data Service (ESDS) (OECD Main Economic Indicators) allows you to access the most recent monthly release of the OECD Main Economic Indicators, containing data on national accounts, industrial production, employment, prices, business trends, finance and trade for the major world economies. The information starts from January 1960 to the current month. Users can:
    • browse the series descriptions for the entire database
    • subset the data by country, subject or keyword
    • plot your selected series
    • download the data you require directly to your PC
    Access without a password from the campus network, a Campus ID and password is required for off-campus access.
Other sources concentrate on one particular theme:
  • David Leip's Atlas of US Presidential Elections contains detailed statistical information on all United States election results from 1932-1996. For each election it includes information on the voting patterns within individual states. Also available are lists of States by the Democratic and Republican parties with information on the percentage of votes received.
Academic research organisations are also important.