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Statistics

The Internet is becoming increasingly an important resource for statistics, as more and more agencies rely on this medium to disseminate statistical information.

When you hunt for statistical information, be aware of the following:

• Statistical research generally requires time and effort.
• Not all state (Kentucky included) or local agencies make their resources available. A few do not even keep adequate records.
• Special studies or surveys conducted one year generally are not conducted the following year. Agencies such as the Legislative Research Commission will conduct surveys on different topics each year.
• Very recent statistics may not be available. Statistics for this year will not even be compiled, let alone published until the end of the year. The availability of statistics for recent years will depend on the timeliness of the agency's or the research team's publication.
• If you are looking for studies containing a number of variables, you may find that single studies containing all the variables may not be available.

Selected Internet Resources

This list is by no means comprehensive. It simply lists web sites that contain oft-requested information.

ChildStats

The reports require Adobe Acrobat Reader. They provide child-related statistics on a variety of topics, including health, education, family characteristics and economics. The reports are updated regularly.

FedStats

One of the nice features of this web site includes MapStats, an interactive site. If you wish to use this site to locate information on Hardin County, do the following: select Kentucky from the drop-down menu; select Hardin County; click on the choices provided, such as Crime, Economics, Agriculture and Population Estimates.

Statistics by Geography from U.S. Agencies  includes Demographic and Economic State and County Profiles, which provides such information as population numbers, numbers and percentages by race, age, educational attainment, etc.

Kentucky Stats

Alphabetical listing of subjects such as Crime, Education and Families and Children link to sites containing statistical information for the state of Kentucky. From the Kentucky Virtual Library.

Kentucky State Police

Especially useful for traffic statistics (including DUI violations by county) and crime statistics. The crime reports currently available date from 1995 to 1998. The traffic reports currently available cover the years 1995 to 1998.

Online Databases

EBSCO

Select your database(s) based on your topic. Do a keyword search and include the word statistics as one of your keywords.

Example: select the Academic Premier database. Type in the following search: children AND television AND violence AND statistics.

InfoTrac

If you use the Subject Search, and click on Narrow by Subdivision, you will see that Statistics is usually one of the subdivisions and Surveys is often another subdivision.

Example: click on Subject Search in the left blue margin. Type in Television and children. Click on Narrow by subdivision. Scroll down until you see Statistics. Click on Statistics for published articles providing statistical information.

You may also use the Keyword Search option. Include the keyword Statistics in your search. Example: children AND television AND single AND parent AND statistics.

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