EXERCISES AND PROJECTS

Project 13-1

After consulting with the reference librarian or government document section of your college library, identify sources of data you could use for research on the following topics.

  1. The legislative votes of congressmen on environmental issues Source of data:
  2. The numbers of black, white, and Hispanic students attending public school in school districts in your state Source of data:
  3. The percentage of households in your state that lack sound plumbing facilities Source of data:
  4. The gross national products (GNPs) of European nations Source of data:
  5. The number of armed robberies per thousand population in counties of your state Source of data:
  6. The average acreage of farms in counties of your state Source of data:

Exercise 13-2

The Internet has become an important source of reference and information for social scientists. However, the validity of the information available to us on the Internet is not always accurate; we need to be very mindful of the source. Using the search engine of your choice (Google, Yahoo, etc.), find information on the U.S. unemployment rate. Is the information you obtained reputable? If yes, how do you know? If no, continue the search until you do find reputable information on the U.S. unemployment rate.