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The decennial Census of Population and Housing contains an enormous amount of valuable information, but mining this information can be overwhelming. Michael R. Lavin has developed a practical, easy-to-use guide to this remarkable statistical resource. Designed as a textbook, a handbook, and a ready-reference tool, Understanding the Census is written in a user-friendly narrative style. It features a wealth of research tips, background information, and answers to frequently asked questions. The book's many appendixes also provide valuable support material and answer important questions about the census. This is a must-have resource for anyone seeking or using U.S. Census information.

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CHOICE Review

A more accurate title for this volume would be "Understanding the 1990 Decennial Census of Population and Housing." It is larger and more detailed than Richard E. Barrett's Using the 1990 Census for Research (CH, Apr'95) and quite similar to the Census's own guide, 1990 Census of Population and Housing: Guide (1992- ). Written by a librarian, Understanding the Census is long and complex, like the Census itself. Census methodology, rationale, and processes are explained thoroughly. Changes made since 1980 are explained in sidebars. New technology, of which the Census Bureau is fond, is reflected in lists of Census CD-ROMs, and the Bureau's home page and Bulletin Board System addresses and how to access them. Numerous figures illustrate concepts and show basic data. Appendixes include acronyms, metropolitan areas alphabetically by city name, Census questionnaires, Summary Tape Files 1 and 3 data tables, and further reading. Lavin's book could be used as a textbook, or as a very detailed reference book for Census users. E. F. Konerding Wesleyan University

Booklist Review

Already hundreds of books, reports, and articles have been published about the 1990 census. It has also spawned the publication of specialized reference sources such as the title under review. Designed for use as a textbook and ready-reference tool, it helps researchers navigate the census. It succeeds on three levels. First, it explains census subject terminology and concepts in an understandable manner. Second, it assists census users in locating census data. Finally, it helps users with the increasingly diverse array of census products, including CD-ROMs and maps. Understanding the Census is in four sections. Part 1 discusses census fundamentals, the uses of census data, and planning and conducting the 1990 census. This is followed by chapters that explore subject terminology and concepts, census geography, and the 1990 census questionnaire. Part 3 is chock-full of information on how to find and use census data. Such topics as rules affecting metropolitan and urbanized areas, congressional appointments, and using EXTRACT are covered in part 4. Reference librarians will be pleased to see that Lavin covers Internet resources and other electronic products in this final section. Appendixes include acronyms and initialisms used in the book, a list of 1990 metropolitan areas, a facsimile of the 1990 questionnaire, a list of data tables STF 1 and STF 3, and an extensive bibliography. A comprehensive index concludes the volume. Special features include 160 tables, more than half of which were created specifically for this book. A series of eye-catching and informative sidebars appear throughout every chapter: "New in '90," "Census Tips," and "Q & A." The Bureau of the Census' own annual Census Catalog & Guide is a staple in most reference and government documents collections. Richard Barrett's Using the 1990 U.S. Census for Research (Sage, 1990) delves into the history of the census, the design of and problems with the 1990 census, and preparing data for analysis. Understanding the Census is the most detailed and accessible of these guides and is highly recommended for medium-size and large public libraries and for academic libraries of all sizes. (Reviewed Sept. 1, 1996)

Notas de autor provistas por Syndetics

MICHAEL R. LAVIN is Business Librarian at Lockwood Library, State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. He has worked with census data for many years as a reference librarian, college instructor, consultant, and trainer, and he is an active participant in the Census Bureau's State Data Center program. Lavin is the recipient of the 1992 Business Reference Services Section/Gale Research Award for Excellence in Business Librarianship. He is the author of Business Information: How to Find It, How to Use It (Oryx Press, 1992), now in its second edition.