Binghamton University Libraries Ask a Librarian

ECONOMICS 485E

Quality of Life

To get a complete listing of Economics databases, go to the Library homepage and click on metaLINK. Once in metaLINK, scroll down to the listing for Economics. For a listing of print resources, go here.There are links to tutorials next to some of the database descriptions. The tutorials require the latest version of Flash and that Javascript be enabled. Get Flash here. Instructions for enabling JavaScript in commons browsers is available here.

U.S Data

Bureau of Economic Analysis
Covers many economic factors, including income. BEA tutorial

Bureau of Labor Statistics
This Department of Labor site has statistics on labor force, employment, unemployment, and persons not in the labor force. For time series data, try the Detailed Statistics link at the top of the page.

Census Bureau
The place to start when looking for U.S. demographic data.

Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services
Statistics page for CMS. This is a good place to start when researching health care expenditures.

CPS Utilities (on CD-ROM) Ref Online & Data HA 203.C685
This is the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey, 1962-2003. The cd-roms contain the Annual demographic file with data on the composition and economic status of the U.S. population. Comprehensive information is given on employment, occupation, and industry for persons 14 years old and over. Characteristics such as age, sex, race, marital status, family relationships, household structure, occupation, employment history, income, educational background, and ethnicity are shown for each person in the household.

Fedstats: One Stop Shopping for Federal Statistics
Provides links to statistics from over 70 government agencies.

Global Insight
The database covers U.S. and international financial, economic and industry data. Binghamton University users have access only to the Basic Economics files which cover monthly, quarterly, and annual time series. Available via Wharton Research Data Services (see below). Requires registration.

Historical Statistics of the United States on CD-ROM
Covers colonial times to 1970, with statistics on labor, demographics, national income, consumer income and expenditures, etc. Located on the Census workstation in Online and Data Services. There is an updated print edition in Bartle Reference at HA 202 .H57 2006.

ICPSR (Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research) Data Archive
Provides access to a vast archive of social research data. ICPSR data can be downloaded by BU researchers that access ICPSR through the campus network or remotely by authenticating for resources from the Libraries' web pages.

National Longitudinal Survey of Labor Market Experience (part of ICPSR, above)
The primary purpose of the five sets of surveys that comprise the National Longitudinal Surveys is the collection of data on the labor force experience of specific age-sex groups of Americans. Data is available via ICPSR (see above) and covers the years 1966-1992.

New York State Data Center
Provides access to the various statistical series for and about New York State's economy and population. Download data as spreadsheet files.

Office of Immigration Statistics
Detailed statistics on U.S. immigration.

Panel Study of Income Dynamics on the Web
PSID is a longitudinal survey covering economic and demographic information on both families and individuals. Content focuses on income sources and amounts, employment, family composition changes and residential location. It is a good source of labor statistics. Data can be downloaded directly from the web site.

Statistical Abstract of the United States
Contains a collection of statistics on social and economic conditions in the United States. Selected international data are also included. The Abstract is also your Guide to Sources of other data from the Census Bureau, other Federal agencies, and private organizations. 

Statistical Universe
Indexes and abstracts statistical publications from the U.S. government from 1973, state and private sources from 1980, and documents from international organizations from 1983. Some statistical tables are available online.

TransStats
This is the website for the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. This is where statistics on commuting time to work, airline travel, and automotive vs. public transportation can be found.

Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS)
WRDS is the interface used to access the Compustat, CRSP, Global Insight, and other large financial and economic data files. Most data is for the U.S., but the Penn World Tables files provide some international information. Use of these files requires registration and is strictly restricted to Binghamton University faculty and students.

International Data

Human Development Report
Click on HD Reports to access the online version of the various Global, Regional, and National Reports.

International Financial Statistics Online
Statistics on all aspects of international and domestic finance from 200+ IMF countries. Contains approximately 32,000 time series of financial and economic data. International and domestic finance statistics for most countries of the world. Although it primarily covers financial statistics, it does all cover data concerning employment, unemployment, labor force, and population.
International Financial Statistics tutorial

OECD Social Indicators
This OECD site provides time series coverage of social indicators for OECD countries in the following areas: general context, self-sufficiency, equity, health, and social cohesion. Also available in print at call number HN 25.S646.

Japan Statistical Yearbook
Comprehensive summary of basic statistical information, covering demographics, land, economics, society, and culture. Files are available in both PDF and Excel format.

Penn World Tables
Provides national income accounts-type of variables converted to international prices. Available via Wharton Research Data Services (see above). Requires registration.

Statistical Resources on the Web
Provides numerous links to statistical sites, both U.S. and international..

World Bank Africa Database (CD-ROM)
Over 1,200 indicators of macro-economic, sectoral, and social data for 53 African countries and 20 regional country groups going back to 1970. It can be accessed on the Statistical Workstation in the Online & Data Services Office. The disk can be obtained from the Bartle Reference Desk, call number HC800.A1 W677.

World Development Indicators (CD-ROM)
Contains over 550 time-series indicators for 208 countries and 18 country groups, covering 1960 to 2004. It can be accessed on the Census Workstation in the Online & Data Services Office.

Articles

EconLit
EconLit is the main database for Economics articles. There is some full-text coverage. EconLit tutorial

Business Source Premier
This is the primary database for management, with some coverage of economics topics and journals.

Science Direct (Elsevier)
Despite the "Science" title, this database has good coverage of economics, econometrics, and finance articles.

Web of Science
This is an interdisciplinary database that covers social sciences, sciences, and humanities. It is not full-text.

Data Help

If you have data questions, contact:

Dave Vose, ICPSR Designated Representative, dvose@binghamton.edu, 777-4907
Colleen Hailey, Economics and Management Librarian, chailey@binghamton.edu, 777-2621

For help with understanding statistics in general, try the The Statistics Homepage . This is an electronic online textbook which "offers training in the understanding and application of statistics".

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