At the Unix prompt, use the command `` help data_sources''
and scan the system help file on data sources. This file is lengthy,
and some of the data sources may be outdated. It is not organized in
any particular order. We append information as we find it. To avoid
scanning the entire document, do a quick search with the command
`` help data_sources | grep subject''.
Many of the data sources listed in the `` help data_sources'' file have ``help'' files of their own. Use `` help -l'' to see the list of
topics available in the help system. You can also ``grep'' for
specific subjects, e.g., `` help -l | grep citibase'' or
`` help -l| grep citi'' will tell you there is a ``help'' file
available on Citibase. You can then use the command `` help
citibase'' to read more about Citibase and how to use it in the EML.
Point your favorite web browser (we recommend Mozilla / Firebird) at the URL
http://elsa.berkeley.edu/eml/emldata.html
The web version is a subset of the ``help'' file, listing a handful of
major data sets and how to find them.
UC DATA deserves a special mention at this point. UC DATA is the
official data archive of the University of California. It is
located on Channing Way with the Survey Research Center. UC DATA is
the northern California representative of the Census Bureau, and is
also a member of the Inter-university Consortium on Political and
Social Research (ICPSR). All census data and all ICPSR data (plus
much, much more) is available from UC DATA at no cost to anyone
affiliated with the University of California. If you have a special
data need, check with UC DATA before spending any money on the
purchase of a CD ROM or tape.
The UC libraries should never be overlooked when searching for
data, especially the Thomas J. Long Library for Business and
Economics (Haas building) and the Government Social Science
Information Service (2nd floor of the main library). Libraries are
no longer just traditional centers for collections of books and journals;
they are in the forefront of electronic information search and
retrieval, and you will find the help of the librarians invaluable
when searching for data.
