General Sources:
Government Information (U.S.A.)
American
FactFinder
Powered by the U.S. Census Bureau, this site is the starting point for
browsing, searching, or mapping data on all things American.
Bureau
Of Economic Analysis
The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis is the place
to go for official economic data, such as gross domestic product (GDP),
and trade balances.
Bureau
Of Labor Statistics
Just as the Bureau of Economic Analysis site should be the first stop
for overall economic data, the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics
should dominate any search for labor and employment data – essential viewing
for the subject.
Data.gov
The purpose of Data.gov is to increase public access to high value, machine
readable datasets generated by the executive branch of the federal government.
There are 272,677 datasets available on Data.gov. The data provide comes
for many differnt governmental agencies and is made available to researchers
to perform their own analysis.
EDGAR:
SEC's Database Of Corporate Information
Get free access to database of documents that publicly held companies
are required to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Export.gov
(Managed By The U.S. Department Of Commerce’s International Trade
Administration)
This site is provided on an interagency level to help U.S. companies operate
in the global marketplace. Although focused very much on the practicalities
of exporting, substantial information is available on global trade and
international economics.
FedLaw
Experimental site for those doing federal legal research. Areas covered
include U.S. code, statutes and regulations, federal courts, and Government
Accountability Office (GAO) decisions.
FedStats
FedStats is an impressive clearinghouse of statistics from more than 100
federal, state, and local agencies. Available at the site are statistics
on such topics as agriculture, crime, education, demographic and economic
issues, health, and energy and the environment. The information is free.
FedWorld
This Department of Commerce site serves as a gateway into the "world"
of federal Web information, including direct links to search engines for
the federal Web.
International
Data Base
Computerized data bank of demographic and socioeconomic data for 227 countries
for selected years from 1950 to the present and demographic data projected
to 2050.
IRS
Possibly one of the "least popular" popular sites on the Web,
drawing a vast audience as much by fear as desire! In all seriousness,
the site is an excellent information provider for those wanting or needing
to learn more about the work of the IRS and the nature of the American
taxation system.
Library
Of Congress
Online access to the largest library resource in the world. This site
offers background on the library, as well as catalog searching and information
on special displays and events. Special information sections are available
for researchers, lawyers, librarians ,and many more.
National
Center For Education Statistics
Department of Education site serves as a focal point for education data
and information on topics such as examination performance, participation,
and private schools.
National
Center For Health Statistics
The National Center for Health Statistics is a division of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, the nation's principal health statistics
agency. Data compiled by the health statistics center are used to document
the health status of the population and important subgroups, and to identify
disparities in health status and use of healthcare by race or ethnicity,
socioeconomic status, region, and other population characteristics. The
amount of free data is impressive. There is a great deal of information
relating to diseases, injuries, and the effect of lifestyle on personal
health.
National
Climatic Data Center
This self-proclaimed "world's largest archive of weather data"
provides analysis of weather trends—past, present, and future. Information
is available on a national, international, regional, or city-by-city basis.
Office
Of The United States Trade Representative
This site provides a wealth of information on the activities of the Trade
Representative and the negotiations taking place within organizations
such as NAFTA and the WTO. Also provides background on the performance
of industries ,such as steel and agriculture, which operate in a tariff
environment.
Economics and Statistics Administration, Department of Commerce
The Department of Commerces' expert economists and analysts produce in-depth reports, fact sheets, and briefings on policy issues and current economic events.
The
2010 Statistical Abstract: Guide To Sources Of Statistics
Alphabetically arranged, this U.S. Census Bureau guide contains references
to important primary sources of statistical information for the United
States. Secondary sources have been included if the information contained
in them is presented in a particularly convenient form or if primary sources
are not readily available. All the information is free. Other information
may also be found in state reports and foreign statistical abstracts,
and in reports for particular commodities, industries, or similar segments
of the nation’s economic and social structures. The Census Bureau
guide may be accessed at www.census.gov/compendia/statab/guide_to_sources.html.
THOMAS:
Legislative Information From The Library Of Congress
Library of Congress-maintained site provides full information on current
and past legislative sessions and related activity. Committee reports
and the current House and Senate committees are also covered.
U.S.
Census Bureau
The starting point for any demographic research covering the U.S., its
regions, states and populations.
USDA
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Provides information to the agricultural community on issues such as crop
planting (by volume and distribution), livestock, production, productivity
and prices, and historical data.
U.S.
Government Printing Office
This agency is responsible for the publication of almost all Federal reports
and official public materials (for example, The 9/11 commission Report
by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent
Select Committee on Intelligence). Most recent reports are available as
.pdf files for download, or hard copies can be purchased online or by
telephone.
U.S.
House Of Representatives
Search Representatives' personal sites, committee sites, and background
information on House activities. Visitors can use a zip-code form to locate
representatives by region.
U.S.
Patent And Trademark Office Home Page
Essential site for intellectual property research. Searchable databases
of trademarks and patents show full details of recorded marks and their
holders, as well as expired marks and patents. The site also has a highly
useful background section explaining what trademarks, servicemarks, and
patents are, and how registered marks differ from the unregistered.
U.S.
Securities And Exchange Commission
Provides access to background documents and information that are not available
from the EDGAR database. Also provides up-to-date news on SEC activities
and policies.
U.S.
Senate
Provides similar services as the House site, including coverage of current
legislative proposals.
U.S.
State Fact Sheets
This Department of Agriculture-hosted site offers snapshots of every state
– covering population, income, employment, and farm and industry performance
indicators.
The
White House—Economy
This White House site offers easy access to simple current U.S. federal
economic indicators. Excellent for those needing just a brief overview
of the issues.
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