Numbers are powerful. Words can sometimes be difficult to define, and are therefore ambiguous, but numbers and statistics tend to provide a feeling of solidity and security. 5 is always greater than 4, and 10 is always half of 20.
As sure as numbers can be, statistics can be confusing, and easily misunderstood or misused. Even when used correctly some writers and presenters make the mistake of assuming that the statistics speak for themselves. A statistic is a measurement of something, and in order for an audience to understand the statistic they need to be aware of exactly what was measured, how it was measured, and how that information was reported.
The Writing Center at UNC-Chapel Hill has an excellent online handout about understanding the using statistics effectively.
Reports on current issues with in-depth coverage of political and social issues.
Founded in 1923 as Editorial Research Reports, CQ Researcher is noted for its in-depth, unbiased coverage of health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology and the economy. Reports are published in print and online 44 times a year. Each single-themed, 12,000-word report is researched and written by a seasoned journalist. The consistent, reader-friendly organization provides researchers with an introductory overview, which includes three pro-con debates; a background and chronology on the topic; an assessment of the current situation; tables and maps; a pro/con debate by representatives of opposing positions; and bibliographies of key sources.
CQ Researcher Online offers access to CQ Researcher reports dating back ten years. PDF files are available for reports from January 1996; color PDFs are available for reports published after January 2001.
CQ Global Researcher articles are freely available to all CQ Researcher customers on this site.
A general reference collection of over 800 titles in a wide range of subject areas.
Includes Atlases, Dictionaries, Biographies, Encyclopedias, Handbooks, Statistics, and more. Credo also provides Topic Pages with collected information and links on a variety of timely and frequently accessed topics with cross-linking to the Library Catalog and other online databases.
Statisitcs on crimes, criminals, and victims in North Carolina.
The North Carolina Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program is part of a nationwide, cooperative statistical effort administered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. While the program’s primary objective is to generate a reliable set of criminal statistics for use in law enforcement administration, operation, and management, its data have over the years become one the country’s leading social indicators.
The American public looks to Uniform Crime Reports for information on fluctuations in the level of crime, while criminologists, sociologists, legislators, municipal planners, the press and other students of criminal justice use the statistics for varied research and planning purposes.
Since 1973, law enforcement agencies throughout North Carolina have voluntarily submitted data to the State Bureau of Investigation on specific crimes committed in their areas of jurisdiction.
The Uniform Crime Reporting Program divides offenses into two major classifications which are designated Part 1 and Part 2. Law enforcement agencies report the number of offenses and associated crime data for the following Part 1 crimes: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft and arson. Part 1 offenses, excluding negligent manslaughter and arson, are used to calculate the Crime Index and Crime Rate. All other offenses are classified as Part 2 offenses, however, only arrest data are reported for Part 2 offenses.
The UCR Program collects data on the age, race, and sex of persons arrested for all crimes except traffic violations.
Research the pros and cons of social issues through full-text articles, multimedia, primary sources, government documents and more.
"SIRS Issues Researcher delivers the pros and cons on today’s complex social issues with relevant, credible information that tells the whole story on the major questions of the day. Go in depth into hundreds of critical current issues, and explore thousands of topics on enduring social issues. Analysis and opinions hand selected from thousands of national and international sources cover the pros, cons, and everything in between, on every issue."
The site includes population, economic, and income data as well as county profiles and rankings.
"The State Data Center... is a consortium of agencies cooperating with the US Bureau of the Census to provide the public with data about the state and its component geographic areas."
An authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic conditions of the United States.
"In print, the Statistical Abstract of the United States is a one-volume, comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. Online it is 1400+ individually indexed tables (with attached spreadsheets), both searchable and browsable. Use the Abstract as a convenient volume for statistical reference, and as a guide to sources of more information both in print and on the Web."
NC LIVE
NC LIVE is North Carolina’s statewide online library service. eBooks, magazines, newspapers, journals, media, and other online materials are available from any Internet connection via library websites. NC LIVE resources are available to all North Carolinians through their local public, community college, or academic library. Contact your local library for free access to NC LIVE resources. Login information for Isothermal students and employees is posted in Moodle.
Student/Employee Login
Log into your Isothermal account to access email, Patriot Port, Moodle, and your other college services.
Interlibrary Loan
Information about and form to request loans from other libraries facilitated by the Isothermal CCC Library.
