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SOC 388: Demographic Methods

 

This website is designed as a resource for students in Professor Gillian Steven's Sociology 388: Demographic Methods course. You will find listed here a number of electronic and print resources for population data and other relevant statistical information that are either accessible via the web or at the Government Documents Library, 200D Main Library, ph. 244-6445. Paper or CD-ROM format titles appear in orange typeface. The titles in blue are hypertext links to web publications and databases. This list represents only a starting point and is not comprehensive. Please ask a librarian for additional assistance. Professional staff is available at the Government Documents Library reference desk, M-F, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

 

Basic Sources

  1. Dictionary of Demography: Terms, Concepts, and Institutions. 2 v. New York: Greenwood Press, 1986.
    call no. 304.60922P442d1986 location DOC

     

  2. ** The Handbook of National Population Censuses. 3 v. New York: Greenwood Press, 1986.
    call no. 304.6096021D714h location REX, AFX
    • Describes censuses of Africa and Asia.
      call no. 304.60723G749h1992 location REX
    • Covers Europe.
      call no. 304.60723G749h location REX, STX
    • Covers Latin America, the Caribbean, North America and Oceania.

     

  3. Population Bulletin. V. 1, Sept. 1945-current.
    call no. 312.05Popb location DOC, STX
    • Major periodical in the field of demography.

     

  4. Understanding the Census: A Guide for Marketers, Planners, Grant Writers and Other Data Users, by Michael R. Lavin. Kenmore, NY: Epoch Books, 1996.
    call no. Q.304.60723L394u location DOC, REX
    • Covers the U.S. decennial Census of Population and Housing, particularly the 1990 series.

 

Indexing Tools

  1. Statistical Universe . Washington, D.C.: Congressional Information Service, 1997-.
    • For information on the coverage and format of this product, click here

     

  2. IIS/Index to International Statistics. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Information Service, 1983-.
    call no. 016.31IN3 location DOC low bookcases
    • DOC's collection includes fulltext of indexed publications, microfiche format.

 

Statistical Sources

  1. Demographic Yearbook. New York: United Nations, Statistics Division, 1948-.
    call no. Q.312D3961995 location REX
    call no. UN.ST/ESA/STAT/SER.R location DOC
    • Focus is population data.

     

  2. International Programs Center [U.S. Bureau of the Census]

     

  3. International Data Base/IDB [U.S. Bureau of the Census]

     

  4. Population Studies Center [University of Michigan]

     

  5. Statistical Abstract of the United States [U.S. Bureau of the Census] 1878-current.
    call no. DOC.C3.134: location DOC

     

  6. Statistical Abstract of the World. 3rd ed. Detroit: Gale Research, 1997.
    call no. Q. 310 St2931997 location REX
    • Convenient source for demographic, labor, health, geographic, economic and trade data, etc. for 185 countries.

     

  7. Statistical Yearbook. New York: United Nations, Statistical Division, 1948-.
    call no. 310Un3s location DOC
    • Includes population section, focus on socioeconomic and business statistics.

 

Country Specific Data

  1. Foreign Government Resources on the Web [U. of Michigan Documents Center/Grace York]

     

  2. National Statistical Compendiums
    call no. MFICHE310C93 location REX
    • REX's collection includes full-text of individual country's most recently published statistical databook. See "Bibliographic Guide to the Microfiche Collection," shelved on top of microfiche cabinet. Most begin around 1970, although date varies.

     

  3. ** International Population Census Publications. University of Texas at Austin: Population Research Center
    • Microfilm set, consists of official census publications listed in the International Population Census Bibliography, prepared by the Population Research Center
    • call no. FILM 304.6021In8Cu, sample call no. for Latin America, the Caribbean and Cuba reels, includes selected years; search online catalog for call no. for particular region/country and time period
    • To view library's holdings, in the command mode of the Online Catalog, type:
      F T International Population Census

     

  4. Statistics Iceland: Other statistical resources
    • Links to statistical resource indexes for Europe, North and Central America, South America, Oceania, Asia, Africa and International Organizations

 

Examples

  1. Japan: 1995 and 2000 Censuses
    • Many tables can be opened as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

     

  2. ** Census of England and Wales, 1931.
    call no. Q.314.2G7921g location STX
  3. **Folketeljinga 1801 = Population census 1801. (Norway)
    call no. 312.09481 F719 location STX

 

Other Sources

  1. The World-Wide Web Virtual Library: Demography & Population Studies

 

Helpful Hints

  1. Online Catalog web interface search options:
    • Exact start of subject heading searches:
      "Name of Country"--Census or
      "Name of Country"--Census, year  or
      "Name of Country"--Population
    • Example: Kenya--Census, 1962

     

  2. Censuses appear in the language of the country, although some publications include tables in English. The main library's Reference Library has foreign language dictionaries. Some keywords you may want to look up in advance of using the web, paper or microfilm sources in the STX and elsewhere are: census, population, year, male, female, sex and age. Also, few census publications have indexes. A reasonable approach is to examine the Table of Contents in the front of the main volume to identify the tables which have breakdowns by single years of age and by sex.

     

  3. Remember to ask a librarian for help, if you are having problems locating the appropriate resources.