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Often a statistical fact is the key to grabbing your audience’s attention. Statistics can support your argument with hard data. |
A generalization like “Guns are an increasing threat” is not impressive. You may have more success with something like “According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reports for 2003, gun related homicides have increased by 47% in the past five years.” It is especially important to give the source of your facts, when citing statistics. There’s a good reason for this: although statistics may get your audience interested, they may also be distracted, wondering, “Where did she get that number?” or “That can’t be right.” By providing the source of your facts you give your audience the opportunity to “check your facts." You can find statistics in a variety of places. For example, journal articles often provide data that has been generated from original research. In this case it is important to pay attention to things like the size of the population that was tested or the total number of people surveyed and who made up the survey group. This will help you interpret the data accurately in your presentation. Two collections of searchable statistical information can be found in Statistical Abstract of the United States and LexisNexis Statistical. |
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LexisNexis Statistical This online database has the largest and most diverse statistical information available in any one database. The information available in LexisNexis comes from a variety of sources including, the U.S. Government, international organizations, professional and trade organizations, commercial publishers, and research organizations. LexisNexis Statistical can be found on the library homepage under Resources A-Z.
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Statistical Abstract The most recent edition of this source is kept at the UWM Libraries reference desk because it is used often for quick information such as, the number of deaths by gunshot, the average educational attainment by race and gender, etc. Many of the tables included here are derived from US Census data, but some non-government data is also included. Found in the library under HA202.
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| For more statistical sources, see the guide Statistical Resources on the Internet at: http://www.uwm.edu/Libraries/govinfo/stats.html |
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