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 (opens in new window)
Using Data to Discover and Explore the Stories of Enslaved People
- Slave Voyages
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.
- Enslaved: Peoples of the Historical Slave Trade
Research project to meet research needs of scholars, genealogists, students, and members of the public interested in the people of the historical slave trade. Enslaved.org is a discovery hub that helps users to search and find information from a large and growing number of datasets and digital projects, including biographical Stories.
Data Maps
For local information, the Boston Planning and Development Agency webpage includes data, maps and aerial photographs.
National
Black Progress Index: Examining the social factors that influence Black well-being
The World
- Our World in Data has the stated "mission is to publish the “research and data to make progress against the world’s largest problems”.
- The World Bank Global Reach Map is a collection maps and data, a visual look at wealth--and poverty--distribution throughout the world.
Data Visualizations gone wrong--just because it's visualized data, it may not make sense!
Find Statistics, Data and Maps
- Statista This link opens in a new windowBrings together data and graphs on every imaginable topic from business to government, surveys, sports, and scientific topics. Easy to use, exportable charts and data, recommended citations.
Sample graphic from Statista:
Survey question data:
Gallup. (July 26, 2013). Black Americans: Which term do you prefer "African-American" or "black," or does it not matter to you either way? [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 06, 2023, from https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.neu.edu/statistics/262762/preference-of-black-americans-on-labelling-themselves/
More sources for US statistics:
- Analyze Boston geographic, development and demographic information.
- Bureau of the Census Online Library provides open access to Statistical Abstracts Series, 1878-2012.
- Statistical Abstracts has the more recent information and requires user name/password authentication.
- Explore Census Date
Sources for International Statistics:
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Eurostat contains statistics from the European Union
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Population Reference Bureau (PRB) "informs people around the world about population, health, and the environment, and empowers them to use that information to advance the well-being of current and future generations." Use the DataFinder to browse for data geographically and by topic.
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UNdata originates from the United Nations
- World Health Data Collections
We explore the diverse views and experiences of Black people in America with in-depth surveys and other research. Our work focuses on three themes: Black identity, the economic and social mobility of Black people in America, and Black representation in American political and social life. NOTE: Tools & Resources includes data sets.
- United States Census
New population counts for 62 detailed Black or African American groups.
- National Archives and Records Administration
Check African Americans and the Federal Census, 1790-1930 for information about historical census records.
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Minority Health
The Office of Minority Health provides the most current quantitative information related to minority health.
Boston
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For local information, the Boston Planning and Development Agency webpage includes data, maps and aerial photographs.
United States
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Black Progress Index: Examining the social factors that influence Black well-being
International
- 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. Thespecial maps, or cartograms, show the distribution of wealth, income, food, housing in the world.