Responding to reference queries for numeric data and the problems inherent in interpreting statistical sources

Abstract Statistical reference questions are among the most problematic a government information specialist faces. Answering such queries is a subjective process and librarians must be sensitive to the context of both the query and the data. The first issue is to recognize the potential lack of consistency in definition or methods among agencies or governments. This paper provides a few illustrative examples that reinforce this point and demonstrates how a general knowledge of statistical measures can lead to better informed reference service.