E/M 267: Entrepreneurship I: Collecting Statistics

When looking for statistics, ask yourself these questions: 

• Who/what would collect statistics on my topic?
  Governments tend to collect many kinds of statistics as do news organizations, polling places, institutes, think tanks and researchers also collect data.

• How would statistics on my topic be made public?
  You can find statistics in a number of places, both in print and online. Not every statistic is publicly available, however.

• What possible barriers might prevent me from finding statistics on my topic?
  Statistics for your topic might not be public or available in a neat package. There might be language barriers. Data may simply not have been collected on your topic.

• Gallup Poll - Ref HN 90 .P8 G35

  An annual compilation of opinion poll statistics gathered by the Gallup Organization, covering from 1935 to the present. Indexes make it easy to find figures from different years. This organization also maintains a website which contains selected data at Gallup.com.
• Harris Interactive

  A for-profit company that gathers public opinion data. Much of the data is only accessible to subscribers, but some information is free through their "News" link.
• New York Times Poll Watch

  An excellent, reliable source for polls and public opinion data.

• Foreign Trade Statistics

  U.S. Census Bureau trade statistics.
• International Trade and Tariff Data

  From the World Trade Organization.
• Market Share Reporter - Ref HF 5415 .M323 2014

  A compilation of data extracted from periodical articles on top brands in given retail categories, top manufacturers and the largest companies in various sectors.
• MNProspector

  Use the Community Profiles link to access demographic reports, business climate data, livibility information, and labor/workforce statistics for cities and regions in Minnesota. (From the MN Dept. of Employment and Economic Development)
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

  Offers statistics on consumer price, employment, wages, inflation, productivity, the U.S. economy, etc. This is a gold mine of current statistical data and reports covering consumer spending, employment, wages, productivity, occupations, international trade, and industries. Also shows "The U.S. Economy at a Glance."

• County and City Data Book - Ref HA 202 .A36

  Contains social, economic and political statistics on cities and counties within the United States.
• American Time Use Survey

  The American Time Use Survey (ATUS) measures the amount of time people spend doing various activities, such as paid work, childcare, volunteering, and socializing. (From the Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• Hispanic Americans: A Statistical Sourcebook - Ref E 184 .S75 H53 2001

  Includes statistics on demographics, education, labor, crime and social characteristics.
• Immigration Statistics

  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• International Data Base

  Maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau International Programs Center, contains demographic and socio-economic data for 227 countries and areas.
• Statistical Abstract of the United States - Ready Reference HA 202 .P76

  This is perhaps the single most useful small package of statistical information available. It includes hundreds of tables of figures on population, economics, social factors, etc., with references to the original sources. An index to the tables provide essay access. The print volume at the Reference Desk (Ready Ref) is the most current. A web version (current to 2012) can be found at Census.gov.
• Demographic Yearbook - Ref HA 17 .D45

  A compilation of demographic statistics from around the world. Some years include a special thematic or historical focus. Also available online at the United Nations website.
• MNProspector

  Use the Community Profiles link to access demographic reports, business climate data, livibility information, and labor/workforce statistics for cities and regions in Minnesota. (From the MN Dept. of Employment and Economic Development)
• U.S. Census Bureau

  The source for statistical data collected by the United States government on the U.S. population. Browse or search by topic or click "QuickFacts" for state and county profiles.