Datapedia of the United States: American History in Numbers,Third Edition | Date: 28 April 2011, 04:30
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Datapedia of the United States: American History in Numbers,Third Edition
By George Thomas Kurian
* Publisher: Bernan Press
* Number Of Pages: 506
* Publication Date: 2004-05
* ISBN-10 / ASIN: 0890598622
* ISBN-13 / EAN: 9780890598627
Introduction:
Datapedia of the United States: American History in
Numbers, Third Edition, is a comprehensive desk reference
that continues and enhances Historical Statistics of
the United States from Colonial Times. Datapedia brings
together into one source a compendium of the most significant
historical statistics of the United States from
1789 to 2003, as well as demographic and other select
data projections through 2050. Datapedia provides a
complete and convenient profile of the United States
covering all its vital sectors—including the labor market,
social welfare, and national defense.
New to the Third Edition
Datapedia retains the features of its previous edition,
but has been expanded to include 31 selected areas.
Expanded areas of coverage include statistics and
analyses on the following topics:
• Health and Healthcare
• Food and Nutrition
• Education and Learning
• Law Enforcement, Courts, and Prisons
• Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, and Travel
• Politics and Elections
• Public Finance
• National Defense
The historical context of the statistical data included in
this edition is emphasized by Datapedia’s new subtitle—
American History in Numbers. The new subtitle further
links Datapedia to Historical Statistics and speaks to this
edition’s depth and scope of coverage.
Publication Features
Those familiar with Historical Statistics will find that
Datapedia is organized similarly, but presents the most
important of the time series data in a reader-friendly
format, balanced by highlights and graphics in each section.
Datapedia includes approximately 280 data tables
that have been expertly selected, compiled, and analyzed.
For the period of 1790 to 1970, the data is based
entirely on Historical Statistics. For the time period following,
Datapedia is based on the annual Statistical
Abstract of the United States as well as other government
data from several sources.
As in Historical Statistics, Datapedia is arranged by
macro subjects in numbered chapters. However, the
chapter divisions are modified slightly from those in
Historical Statistics. The original series numbers have
been maintained, where applicable, in the Datapedia
table titles. Generally, only national data are shown.
Some exceptions are made where regional or state statistics
are useful for the correct interpretation of data or
where national data in the subject field cannot be summarized
effectively. Of course, in the early part of many
series, the data are limited to the geographic area of the
original 13 colonies—i.e., the Atlantic seaboard.
In general, only absolute rather than derived data are
included because one-dimensional aggregates at gross
levels offer somewhat greater flexibility to the user.
Criteria for inclusion vary, but in most cases are based
on the quantity and quality of the data available and
the extent to which they enhance our understanding of
historical trends. Additionally, certain series are presented
only for years in which a national census was held.
History of Statistics
Prior to the first census of 1790, the collection of statistics
was not considered as a primary function of the U.S.
government.The accuracy of the limited data that was
collected, however, was much higher, given that our
nation was significantly smaller—literally and figuratively—
comparative to today. Although some of this
data—from the early years of our republic—have been
lost, much of the data have been gathered from fugitive
documents. Further, the quality of the statistical tables
spanning over two centuries is remarkably even.
As our country developed, the complexity of statistical
operations grew as well as the techniques for data collection
and analysis. Data collection and analysis
became a routine function of the government as well as
independent researchers and scholars. Statistics began
to be viewed as not only a means to measure and analyze
the current state of our society but also to predict
future trends, which is one of the intended uses of
Datapedia.
Projective statistics and number crunching, in general,
have been greatly facilitated by the introduction of
computers in the twentieth century. Although data
experts still are, and will continue to be, an integral part
of data gathering and interpretation, automated computer
processes have provided us with raw and refined
data of exceptionally high quality.Technological
advancements have also resulted in increased access to
government statistics via the posting of a myriad of data
on many government Web sites.
Most, if not all, of the data organized in this edition is
publicly available online. However, the task of gathering
them from a number of sources within the government
and assembling them into a logical and understandable
format is impractical for most data users. Additionally,
even though current statistics are readily available,
obtaining historical time series data often is time-consuming
and difficult. Definitions and other documentation
can be inconvenient to find as well. Continuing the
tradition of Historical Statistics, Datapedia greatly sim-
plifies the task of researching and analyzing data from
an historical perspective; and, according to American
Reference Books Annual, “presents a plethora of interesting
and often hard-to-find data in a user-friendly format.”
The data in this edition meet the publication standards
of the federal statistical agencies from which they were
obtained. Every effort has been made to select data that
are accurate, meaningful, and useful. All statistical data
are subject to error arising from sampling variability,
reporting errors, incomplete coverage, imputation, and
other causes.The responsibility of the editor and publisher
of Datapedia is limited to reasonable care in the
reproduction and presentation of data obtained from
established sources.
—George Thomas Kurian, Editor
ABOUT THE EDITOR
George Thomas Kurian is a noted encyclopedist,
researcher, and president of the New York-based
Encyclopedia Society. Mr. Kurian has authored nearly
25 encyclopedias and over 30 other reference books.
The reference books he has authored include the following:
• Atlas of the Third World
• Dictionary of World Politics
• Encyclopedia of American Studies
• Encyclopedia of the World’s Nations
• Global Data Locator
• Historical Guide to U. S. Government
• Sourcebook of Global Statistics
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