Datapedia of the United States: American History in Numbers | Date: 28 April 2011, 08:09
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Datapedia of the United States: American History in Numbers (Datapedia of the United States)
By George Thomas Kurian, Barbara A. Chernow
* Publisher: Bernan Press
* Number Of Pages: 736
* Publication Date: 2007-10-30
* ISBN-10 / ASIN: 1598880837
* ISBN-13 / EAN: 9781598880830
Datapedia presents the best available data on several hundred indicators of social, economic, political, and cultural developments within the nation. A variety of graphs and other aids summarize significant historical patterns or crucial shifts in key subject areas.
The new fourth edition of Datapedia boasts expanded coverage on a wide range of topics (see the Table of Contents link below). Data series in Datapedia cover the history of the United States from 1789 to 2006 and include select data projections through 2050. Also included are highlights of important milestones found in each chapter including Unauthorized Immigration, Hurricane Katrina, Alternative Living Arrangements, Mine Safety, and more!
This is the first update to this essential reference in over three years, and its coverage is greatly expanded and enhanced.
Reviews and Recommendations
"The third edition (2nd ed., 1994) builds on and supplements the US Census Bureau's Historical Statistics of the United States from Colonial Times to 1970 (1975). After 1970, Kurian uses the data gathered in the annual Statistical Abstract of the United States through the 123rd ed. (2004). The current edition covers the period 1789-2003, with projections through 2050, if available. The work has 31 divisions containing 281 tables of data. Where applicable, tables reference the time series used by the Census Bureau. Each section begins with a brief overview that gives highlights for the section in general and for each table. Tables are well constructed, easy to read, sourced, and footnoted. Datapedia is convenient to use, although the index lacks cross-references and has entry for all states except (for some reason) Ohio. Useful for all libraries, but where feasible, libraries should retain the annual volumes of Statistical Abstract to provide additional information for serious readers. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All collections."
CHOICE, November 2004
INTRODUCTION
Datapedia of the United States:American History in Numbers,
Fourth 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 1790 to 2007,
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.
Organization of the Fourth Edition:
Familiar Format and New Features
Those familiar with Datapedia will find that this edition
retains the features of its previous edition, but has been
reorganized into seven sections containing a total of 31
chapters. The data is presented in a reader-friendly format,
balanced by highlights and graphics. In addition, two
new features have been added. First, each section opens
with a series of timelines that enable the reader to pinpoint
significant events and to compare developments in
each of the chapters included in that section. Second, each
chapter ends with an essay about a subject that is particularly
relevant to our times, such as the Cost of the War
in Iraq, Campaign Finance Reform, and e-Commerce.
Expanded areas of coverage include statistics and
analyses on the following topics:
• Health and Health Care
• Food and Nutrition
• Education and Learning
• Law Enforcement, Courts, and Prisons
• Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, and Travel
• Politics and Elections
• Public Finance
• National Defense
Datapedia includes more than 345 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 the sources indicated
at the bottom of each table.
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—that is, 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
Before 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 simplifies 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 hardto-
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
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