Industry Research Using the Economic Census: How to Find It, How to Use It - Hardcover

Boettcher, Jennifer C.; Gaines, Leonard M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 157356351X ISBN 13: 9781573563512

Publisher: Greenwood, 2004

Synopsis

Many business researchers, from novice to expert, have been amazed to find that the answers to their questions could be found in the Economic Censuses provided by the U.S. government. Until now, there have been no comprehensive guides to this valuable resource. Industry Research Using the Economic Census explains Census concepts, methods, terminology, and data sources in an understandable manner, and assists Census users in locating needed Census data. Designed as a working handbook, it does not duplicate the data from the census, but introduces users to the features, uses, and formats of the data. This guidebook also discusses the important changes that the 1997 and 2002 Economic Censuses introduced from previous versions. Librarians, businesspeople, researchers, faculty, and students will find this guide valuable for mining the riches found in the Economic Censuses.

About this title

About the Author

JENNIFER C. BOETTCHER is the Business Reference Librarian at Georgetown University. She also is Adjunct Professor at the Catholic University of America in the School of Library and Information Science and is the co-author of Key Business Sources of the U.S. Government.

LEONARD M. GAINES is a program research specialist with Empire State Development, where he has worked in the New York State Data Center Program for about 20 years as the program's specialist on the Census Bureau's economic data. He is also an adjunct faculty member at the State University of New York, Empire State College's Center for Distance learning, where he teaches several quantitative courses.

Reviews

The U.S. Economic Census contains data essential to understanding the U.S. economy and determining its current health. It can also help users recognize trends in different industries, target marketing and sales, and understand key economic indicators. This handbook explains "the Census concepts, methods, terminology, and data sources" and also explains how to locate needed census data.

The six chapters in part 1, "Understanding the Economic Census," cover its history, procedures, terminology, reports, and more. Part 2, "Selected Industries," highlights agriculture, transportation and warehousing, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and other sectors. In each of these chapters, Boettcher and Gaines define the industry, then discuss its changing nature, how it is covered in the Economic Census, how the data are made available, and how the data are used. They also give information on other data sources that provide current information in between census years. Tables at the end of each industry chapter compare NAICS codes and text with SIC codes and text. Appendixes contain sample questionnaires and lists of regional federal depository libraries, State Data Center and Business and Industry Data Center lead agencies, and Census Bureau regional offices. A thorough index, including authors, titles, agencies, symbols, and other important terms and concepts, facilitates access.

This practical guide to finding and using the multitude of data in the Economic Census will be useful in public and academic libraries, and special business collections will definitely want to purchase it. Susan Awe
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Greenwood
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 157356351X
• ISBN 13: 9781573563512
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 328