When using Internet and the World Wide Web, I have often been a victim of fate. On some occasions, I quickly achieved or surpassed my goals; on other occasions, facts remained elusive. There has been no way to predict my level of success until the hunt was in progress.
At first, when computerized research searches were a novelty, I did not depend upon them and I judged success an unexpected bonanza. As a consequence, if an Internet search was not fruitful I quickly went on to other, better known sources. As time has gone on, however, I (and many of you) have become increasingly dependent upon online research and, as a result, failure in using the Internet is beginning to show.
At the same time, the computer age has allowed an increasingly large number of organizations to compile statistical data and provide it to researchers who use the Internet. While many countries, for example, have long provided a wealth of statistical data, smaller political units (such as cities, states or provinces) often did not do so. But today with computer expertise trickling down′′ as it has, many small and relatively underfunded organizations are able to provide a wealth of valuable information. And the availability of this information has become a fact of life that must be contended with. As a result, ferreting out these data becomes essential, even for the part‐time researcher.
For those of us who are at the stage where they must enhance their skills in finding statistical information using the Internet, Paula Bernstein′s Finding Statistics Online will provide a useful background and handbook. Bernstein′s goal is to provide the reader with a wide range of ways to search the Internet for statistical data. She accomplishes this goal in a readable and well‐organized handbook/reference work.
As with many books that concern computers, there is an initial chapter that provides a quick and dirty′′ route to immediate (although perhaps somewhat unorganized) success. That chapter, entitled Quick start′′, provides the reader with the basic tools which are needed to initially get online and use some key sources. This initial nuts and bolts′′ chapter is followed by three chapters which provide a general orientation by introducing key statistical concepts (Chapter 2), and overview on who provides statistical data (Chapter 3), and a chapter devoted to search tips (Chapter 4).
Having provided this introduction, the book has chapters on specific types of statistical data including topics such as demographics, industry data, financial and economics statistics, etc. Typically each chapter begins with a brief overview which is followed by long listings of Internet sites which may be consulted. A wide variety of case studies demonstrate the ways in which this data can be gathered and used. I have found these later chapters to be valuable in locating specific sites where data can be found and I tend to refer to these chapters when I have specific questions. Thus, I use the book primarily as a handbook or directory of sources and it is invaluable in this capacity.
Not only will the researcher who is actively involved in a search find the book to be valuable, those who are considering subscribing to various Internet services will find that the book provides insights regarding what Internet sources need to be purchased. Many of the data available on the Internet are not free and must be bought by providers. Because of this cost, care needs to be used when services are being bought; by doing so, it becomes possible to avoid wasting money without compromising the research capabilities your specific organization needs.
In general, I recommend Bernstein′s work. Also, allow me to urge the reader to keep abreast of the publication list of Information Today Incorporated and CyberAge books. Finding Statistics Online is one example of the focused and useful books that are being made available by them.
