You say you need statistics?

What you really need is a little MADGIC!

The Maps, Data and Government Information Centre (MADGIC) on the MAIN FLOOR of the Library can be found from the Library’s homepage

IF YOU NEED NUMBERS, WE HAVE THEM!

•FROM COUNTRIES

•COUNTRY COMPARISONS FROM INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

•BY TOPIC

LET’S LOOK AT THE TOP 5 PLACES TO FIND STATISTICS ONLINE

1. START WITH OUR SPECIALIZED GOOGLE SEARCH ENGINES

•SEARCH FOR STATISTICS WITHIN THE GOOGLE SEARCH BOX USING YOUR TOPIC AND ‘STATISTIC*’ TO FIND BOTH STATISTICS AND STATISTICAL LINKS

•IF YOU AREN’T FINDING WHAT YOU NEED, BE SURE TO ASK FOR HELP ONLINE OR AT THE MADGIC DESK

2. USE OUR GOVERNMENT STATISTICS ONLINE WEB GUIDE

• This is a Web guide that gives you a place to quickly start looking for official statistics from government agencies or from intergovernmental international organizations like the UN

• The guide includes links to special topics such as statistics on the economy, health, foreign trade, etc.

SOURCES FOR OFFICIAL STATISTICS•Note the definitions that tell you the difference between statistics and data

•Use General Sources for some good online links to a wide variety of statistics

•Scan down and click on the country and international organizations links if you already know what country or topic you are looking for

Be sure to check the special topics statistical subject guides (on the left)

3. CHECK OUT STATISTICS CANADA

• We have free access to a wide

range of StatCan publications online

• They are searchable by topic or place

YOU SHOULD NEVER PAY FOR STATISTICS CANADA MATERIALS WITHOUT CHECKING FIRST WITH MADGIC!

3a. SOME VERY SPECIAL RESOURCES FROM STATISTICS CANADA

COMMUNITY PROFILES Statistical details about Canadian cities and towns

The census provides a statistical portrait of Canada and its people every five years. The most recent census was on May 16, 2006. Use the Library’s CENSUS OF CANADA GUIDES

4. GOVERNMENT STATISTICAL DATABASES•Great for comparative statistics between countries or regions

•Some databases, like E-STAT and SourceOECD are limited to Carleton users so you will be asked to login if you are connecting from off campus

•Be sure to ask at the MADGIC information desk if you need assistance in using these databases

5. WHAT IS SURVEY DATA?

Data are the raw material out of which statistics are produced.

They are usually available as digital files so they can be manipulated in statistical software like SPSS

The Data Centre collection has micro-data files and public opinion surveys on many subjects

Staff in the Data Centre will help you locate files you need

BE SURE TO CITE YOUR STATISTICS PROPERLY

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAYREMEMBER, THE STAFF IN

MADGIC IS THERE TO HELP YOU