ABSTRACT
This chapter examines certain sources of data to which methods of analysing data may be applied. Two options are available to the social investigator: he can collect and assemble data himself, or he can use data made available by others. Perhaps the most frequently used source of readily available data relating to social affairs is government publications, and it is the character and scope of these ‘official statistics’ which warrant particular attention. A notable feature of many official statistics is that they provide head counts. This meets the needs of government departments and is in some respects suited to the requirements of those involved in developing or implementing social policy. The publications so far considered enable the social scientist to gain an accurate idea of the material available in a selected field and also to gain direct access to relevant data in digests and some key primary sources.
