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Why are statistics created?
It is helpful to know the factors that affect the creation of
statistics:
- An established need, interest, law, or reason must exist before resources will invested in
collecting, analyzing, and publishing the data.
- Economics often drive the collection of statistical information. An organization may
need to information to help them make money, save money, or spend money in the best
way possible.
- It must be feasible to collect data on the topic. Some demographic groups or topics may
prove difficult or impossible to collect data about. Homeless
people are more difficult to collect information about than
homeowners, for instance.
- Usually there is more information available at the national level that at state or local
levels.
- Sometimes the exact information that you seek in not available, but by
modifying your
query or changing your topic slightly, the data can often be found. For
example, you may not be able to find how many people in Illinois
play golf each year, but you might be able to find how many people in
the United States play golf each year.
Sometimes assistance will be needed to find exactly what you need - remember to ask a
librarian for help if you are not finding what you want!
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