Recommended Websites
- U.S. Data and StatisticsFind data about the U.S., such as maps and population, demographic, and economic data.
- Statistical Abstract of the U.S. This link opens in a new window Published annually by the Federal Government since 1878, The Statistical Abstract of the United States is the best-known statistical reference publication in the country, and perhaps, the world. As a comprehensive collection of statistics on the social, political, and economic conditions of the United States, it is a snapshot of America and its people.
- RStudio CommunityA forum for all things related to RStudio, the open-source data science softare program.
Google Web Search
Evaluating Websites
There are many wonderful and reputable sources on the Internet but often it can difficult to find them after weeding through all other sites that come up in a Google search.
Some criteria to look for include:
- .com? .net? -- these are commercial sites
- .org? -- this often indicates a non-profit
- .gov? -- only government sites have this domain
- .edu? -- only educational institutions have this domain
- Is this someone's personal page?
- What are the author or authors' credentials?
- Is the information current? When was the page last updated?
- Are sources documented with footnotes, a list of references or links?
- Do the links work? Do they link to relevant sites on the topic?
- Do other reputable sites link to this page (search Google using the link operator: type link:http://www.website.com)
- Why was this page created? As a joke or satire? To misinform people? To sell a product? Or to provide useful and important information to a broad range or users?
