Statistics and Data--What is the Difference?
Definitions:
Statistics: "The practice or science of collecting and analysing numerical data in large quantities, especially for the purpose of inferring proportions in a whole from those in a representative sample."
Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.)
- Data: "For social science, data is generally numeric files originating from social research methodologies or administrative records, from which statistics are produced."
- ICPSR Glossary of Social Science Terms
Using Data to Discover and Explore the Stories of Enslaved People
- Documenting Slave Voyages
This website is a collaborative digital initiative that compiles and makes publicly accessible records of the largest slave trades in history.. Includes data visualizations, such as a time lapse video of the movement of slave ships from Africa, shortly after 1520.
Find Statistics, Data and Maps
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Statista: The Leading Statistics PortalWith information for market, demographics, surveys and rankings.
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Boston Indicators Project (Boston Foundation)Topic areas include: health, energy, housing, the environment, public safety, the economy, transportation, technology, civil vitality, education, and culture and the arts.
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Statistical Abstract of the United StatesThis classic reference has been published since 1878; volumes from 1878 to 2012 are available at this link. In late 2012, publication of Statistical Abstract was transferred to the private sector.
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- American Community Survey (ACS) Data Users Group
In partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, the Population Reference Bureau (PRB) maintains an American Community Survey (ACS) Data Users Group. The purpose of the ACS Data Users Group is to improve understanding of the value and utility of ACS data and to promote information sharing among data users about key ACS data issues and applications.
- Data Common
Search the collection of 455 datasets about Massachusetts.
- Data USA
Data visualization for a wide range of public data with emphasis on employment end education across industries and geographies. Rich in demographic info, breaking down by state, county and city.
- Kids Data
Find data about the health and well being of children in communities across California.
- Poverty and Equity Data from the World Bank
United States
- Boston Planning and Development Agency webpage includes data, maps and aerial photographs
- Boston Streets: Mapping Directory Data is an online collection to contextualize the people, places and events from before the American Civil through 20th century urban renewal.
- Norman B. Lowenthal Map and Education Center at the Boston Public Library
The World
- Library of Congress --Map Collections
- The World Bank Global Reach Map is a collection maps and data, a visual look at wealth--and poverty--distribution throughout the world.
- Worldmapper: The World as You've Never Seen It has maps showing areas of interest--not country boundaries. Looking for a map showing the distribution of wealth, income, food, housing?
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Data Visualizations gone wrong--just because it's visualized data, it may not make sense!