Economics information sources
Academic Liaison Librarian: Kirstyn RadfordGuides to Library resources
- British statistical sources in the University Library
- OECD Health Statistics
- OHE Compendium of Health Statistics
- The Financial Times
Electronic journals
- Electronic Journals at York
Provides links to an alphabetical list of full text electronic journals available at York, subject lists of full text and other electronic journals, publishers' collections of electronic journals, online newspapers and news services and directories of electronic journals. - Economist.com - selected articles from the current edition of this weekly newspaper, plus an archive of highlights from the previous month (full text available online to personal subscribers). Additional free-to-access features include Country Briefings: news, country profiles, forecasts and statistics for 60 countries, plus the Economist Intelligence Unit, "the world's leading provider of country intelligence": most information is restricted to subscribers, but some free promotions.
- Econ Journal Watch - a new triannual "peer-reviewed journal for scholarly commentary on academic economics, [which] publishes comments on articles appearing in economics journals and serves as a forum about economics research and the economics profession". Free-to-access, and contributions are encouraged.
Preprints and working papers
- EconWPA (Economics Working Paper Archive) - "provided by the Economics Department of Washington University and devoted to the free distribution of working papers in economics". Browsable by subject (arranged according to the Journal of Economic Literature classification system), or searchable by author or keywords from title/abstracts. Papers can be viewed in PostScript or Acrobat formats.
Site also links to search engines for other related archives, and general internet resources for economics. - RePEc (Research Papers in Economics) - "the largest bibliographic database dedicated to Economics and available on the Internet", maintained by the international NetEc consortium. Over 130,000 working papers, journal articles and other items of research information can be accessed in full, and a further 100,000 are indexed (using Journal of Economic Literature classifications). Search the full database using the IDEAS interface, or search/browse through the following subsections:
- WoPEc - working papers available in full-text electronic format, covering over 300 series, 1993- (not all are free-to-access);
- BibEc - bibliographic information on printed working papers 1993-, covering almost 800 series;
- NEP (New Economics Papers) - "an announcement service which filters information on new releases of working papers into edited reports", which can be received via email upon subscription (no charge).
Databases and datasets
- MetaLib (York users only)
A gateway to bibliographic databases, statistical datasets, electronic journals and other Web resources available to members of the University. Includes guides and links to help. Also allows cross-searching of resources, and Alerts. Login with your University username and password to access all of these features. - Datastream - information from York's Department of Economics about access to this online service for graduate students and staff, providing "key data sets from both developed and emerging markets - equities, market indices, company accounts, macroeconomics, bonds, foreign exchange, interest rates, commodities and derivatives".
General directories of economics resources
- Biz/ed - "a dedicated business and economics information gateway for students, teachers and lecturers. Biz/ed draws on a wide range of expertise to not only point to quality educational sites but to host primary materials, most notably case studies, work sheets and substantial datasets not found elsewhere on the Internet". A UK-based, nationally-funded service incorporating company facts, national and international economic and financial data, the Virtual Worlds interactive case studies, a searchable catalogue of internet resources and links to other related services.
- BUBL LINK: Economics - classified, searchable list of internet resources with brief descriptions. A nationally-funded service for the UK H.E. community, maintained by staff of Strathclyde University.
- Economic growth resources - compiled by Jonathan Temple at the University of Bristol. Provides links to data sets and working papers which can be accessed without restriction, bibliographies and journal home pages (but not full-text access to journal articles), plus websites of institutions and individuals involved in this research area. Not searchable, but resources are classified and described.
- Intute: Social Sciences: Economics (formerly SOSIG): an extensive nationally-funded gateway to free-to-access Internet resources, which can be browsed by subject or searched by keyword. Browsing can be restricted to UK or European resources. Detailed descriptions of resources are provided by subject specialists based in UK higher education institutions.
Intute hosts the online tutorial Internet Economist: an annotated tour of the range of sites available to support HE research and learning within thissubject area. - WWW Virtual Library for Economics - two separately maintained but cross-searchable databases of free-to-access websites:
- Resources for Economists on the Internet - edited by Bill Goffe, State University of New York, and sponsored by the American Economic Association, a collection of more than 1600 sites. Can be searched or browsed by theme e.g. "Data", "Dictionaries", "Jobs/Grants/Academic Advice", "Software", "Teaching Resources" and more. An explanatory description is provided for each site.
- WebEc - edited by Lauri Saarinen of the Helsinki School of Economics, with an emphasis on websites intended to support academic study. Basic search menu, or sites can be browsed by subject area e.g. "Macroeconomics", "Economic History", "Industrial Organization" etc.
Academic sites
- EDIRC (Economics Departments, Institutes and Research Centers in the World) - a classified index to websites of economics departments, associations and societies "...in universities, as well as finance ministries, statistical offices, central banks, think tanks, and other non-profit institutions where mainly economists are working". Entries are listed by country or subject area, and index is searchable. Maintained by Christian Zimmerman of the University of Quebec at Montreal.
- Economic and Social Research Council - "the UK's leading agency for funding research and training in social and economic issues, ...[supporting] over 2,500 researchers in academic institutions and policy research institutes throughout the UK, and over 2,000 postgraduate students". Site includes information about the structure and work of the ESRC, details of how to apply for postgraduate or research funding, plus a directory of ESRC publications (some are free-to-download).
- E-economics - maintained by Mike Shor of Vanderbilt University, E-economics might best be described as an online laboratory, conducting research on behavioural economics. Summaries of former surveys, eg. on Internet pricing or bidding in auctions, are published online.
- Glossary of International Economics - an A-Z index of terminology, aiming to cover "all of the terms and concepts from international economics, including both international trade and international finance, at least at the introductory level". Compiled by Prof. Alan Deardorff, University of Michigan, the site includes interactive diagrams and a bibliography of sources.
- Higher Education Academy Economics Network - one of 24 publicly-funded subject networks for UK higher education, aiming to "promote high quality learning and teaching through the development and transfer of good practices". Hosts the free-to-access electronic journals International Review of Economics Education and Computers in Higher Education Economics Review (CHEER), plus teaching resources, book reviews and discussion lists.
- Internet Economist - written by staff of the University of Bristol as part of the HEFCE-funded Intute: Virtual Training Suite, "a free, teach-yourself tutorial that lets you practice your Internet Information Skills. Tour key Internet sites for economists, discover how to search the Internet, review what to trust on the Internet, and reflect on how to get the most from the Internet for your work".
UK national agencies and Government depts
- Bank of England - detailed information about the Bank's operations and publications, statistical series compiled by the Bank such as base rate information, foreign currency assets/liabilities and others, plus the texts of recent press releases.
- Department of Trade and Industry - ministers' profiles, texts of recent speeches and publications, plus guidance and information for the business community and the general public.
- H.M. Treasury - texts of the Chancellor's recent speeches and statements, White/Green Papers, press releases and other official documents and reports, from "the department responsible for formulating and putting into effect the UK Government's financial and economic policy".
- National Audit Office - "scrutinises public spending on behalf of Parliament. We are totally independent of Government. We audit the accounts of all government departments and agencies as well as a wide range of other public bodies, and report to Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which government bodies have used public money". Site includes full text of Annual Reports, Press Notices and other publications, plus links to other related sites.
International agencies
See also Social Science Information Sources: Development Studies.
- Bank for International Settlements - "an international organisation which fosters cooperation among central banks and other agencies in pursuit of monetary and financial stability". Information about the BIS's activities and publications, including full text of working papers, plus a directory of links to websites of the central banks of 130 countries.
- Central Bank Research Hub - "The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has established this facility to promote the search and dissemination of economic research published by central banks." Its crawlers search content from selected banks' research publications daily. The collection can be browsed by bank, author, title or JEL classification. Alternatively you can search at simple or advanced level. Email alerts can be set up.
- European Central Bank - background information, press releases and publications, plus links to the websites of national banks of European countries.
- European Union - information in all EU languages includes news, full texts of official documentation, and background on key issues such as the Euro, legislation, employment etc. A comprehensive searchable directory to relevant EU websites for economists is provided by the SOSIG gateway (compiled by staff of the British Library).
For members of the University of York: a printed Guide to EU Information Sources on the Internet (2000), and also the Directory of EU Information Sources (2001), are available in the JBM Library's Reference section at G 7.9. - International Labour Organization - searchable site in English French and Spanish (plus some material in other languages). Includes the full text of many official reports and publications, such as the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, and the ILOLEX database of International Labour Standards.
- International Monetary Fund - site in English, French, Spanish and Arabic provides background information, press releases and country reports. Many publications available in full text, e.g. the current World Economic Outlook, Annual Report, and an archive of Working Papers 1997-. Site also includes substantial free-to-access financial data, such as an archive (1995-, updated daily) of tables of exchange rates in terms of SDRs (Special Drawing Rights).
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development - "The OECD groups 30 member countries in an organisation that provides governments a setting in which to discuss, develop and perfect economic and social policy". Site offers background information (including the full text of the latest annual report), considerable amounts of free-to-access statistics, plus details of further publications.
Members of the University of York can access all OECD statistical series in Excel format from any PC on the campus network, via the SourceOECD service - see the entry under Resources in the Library above. - United Nations Conference on Trade and Development - UNCTAD has since 1964 been "the focal point within the United Nations for the integrated treatment of trade and development and related issues in the areas of investment, finance, technology, enterprise development and sustainable development". It offers an intergovernmental forum for debate in these areas; undertakes research, policy analysis and data collection to support debate at this level, and provides technical assistance tailored to the requirements of developing countries. Site includes the full text of the annual Trade and Development Reports 1996-, and World Investment Reports 1991-.
- World Bank - "the World Bank offers loans, advice, and an array of customized resources to more than 100 developing countries and countries in transition". Site includes background information on publications and projects, regional and national profiles, summary data including sample tables from the current edition of World Development Indicators, plus the full text of annual World Development Reports 1992-.
- World Institute for Development Economics Research - from the United Nations University, "WIDER seeks to raise frontier issues and provide new and original insights and policy advice aimed at boosting the economic and social development of the poorest nations". News about research and conferences, plus full text of recent Discussion Papers, instructions on how to download data files from the UN Development Programme World Income Inequality Database, and links to other related sites.
- World Trade Organization - "the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations". Site includes many publications free to download and links to resources such as working papers, annual reports and the "International Trade Statistics" for the current year. Also a substantial directory of links to related sites. See also:
- GATSwatch - a collection of background texts, official publications, news items and links relating to the WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services, compiled by staff of the non-governmental organisations Corporate Europe Observatory and the Transnational Institute.
- GATT Digital Library 1947-1994 - a site that arose from collaboration between Stanford University Libraries & Academic Information Resources and the WTO. The library provides access to over 30,000 full text documents and reports published by and about the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and may be searched by keyword, date or document symbol.
Societies and other organisations
- Adam Smith Institute - "founded in 1977 as a private and independent economic policy institute. Over the years it has extended its capability to promote market-based economic reform ideas internationally... In the UK, the Adam Smith Institute has played a crucial role in the development of policy including privatization, regulatory reform and government restructuring". Site provides free access to the full text of the Adam Smith classics Theory of the Moral Sentiments and Wealth of Nations, plus information about institutional publications, links to other organisations and an interactive weblog of debates on economic issues.
- American Economic Association - their mission "the encouragement of economic research, especially the historical and statistical study of the actual conditions of industrial life". Site includes information about membership, meetings and publications (e.g. Journal of Economic Literature).
- Association for Social Economics - US society formed in 1941 "to advance scholarly research and writing about the great questions of economics, human dignity, ethics, and philosophy. Members seek to explore the ethical foundations and implications of economic analysis, along with the individual and social dimensions of economic problems, and to help shape economic policy that is consistent with the integral values of the person and a humane community". Site includes information about membership, meetings and publications.
- Centre for European Reform (CER) - CER is a think-tank based in London that is "pro-European but not uncritical", favouring "a competitive, outward-looking Europe that has strong links to North America". CER publications are a mixture of documents available to purchase and material freely available online.
- European Economic Association - "aims to contribute to the development and application of economics as a science in Europe, to improve communication and exchange between teachers, researchers and students in economics in the different European countries, and to develop and sponsor cooperation between teaching institutions of university level and research institutions in Europe". Site includes information about the EEA's congresses, summer schools and awards.
- Institute for Fiscal Studies - "The Institute for Fiscal Studies is a politically independent registered charity, one of Europe's pre-eminent centres of policy research. IFS aims to bridge the gap between policy-makers and academics: to bring academic rigour to policy discussion, and policy relevance to academic research". Site includes details of IFS research and publications, membership information and a guide to job opportunities. Especially useful are the UK Budget Analyses: after each Pre-Budget Report, Budget and Spending Review, the IFS publishes analysis of the Chancellor's proposals.
- Institute of Economic Affairs - UK "think-tank" whose mission is "to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society with particular reference to the role of markets in solving economic and social problems". Site includes background information on all areas with which the IEA is involved e.g. environment, health, development, plus a section especially for students.
- National Bureau of Economic Research (USA) - "Founded in 1920, the National Bureau of Economic Research is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of how the economy works". Site includes a searchable archive (1994-) of the full texts of NBER Working Papers (accessible without restriction from any PC on the University of York campus network), a range of online data series (currently no restrictions on access), plus links to other relevant sites.
- National Institute of Economic and Social Research - "Britain's longest established independent economic research institute with over sixty years experience of applying academic excellence to the needs of business and policy makers. The Institute is independent of all party political interests. It has no core funding from government and is not affiliated to any single university, although our staff regularly undertake projects in collaboration with leading academic institutions". Site includes full texts of Discussion Papers which can be downloaded without restriction, plus information about research programmes and other publications.
- Royal Economic Society - "one of the oldest economic associations in the world. It is a professional association which promotes the encouragement of the study of economic science in academic life, government service, banking, industry and public affairs". Site includes information about membership, conferences and publications (e.g. Economic Journal, Econometrics Journal), plus an archive of recent media briefings.
Finance and accounting
- AccountingWeb - "the everyday resource for accountants on the Internet", including news and features (some written specifically for students) plus links to other internet resources. Register (no charge) for access to other services such as email updates and a searchable Company Information Zone providing access to statutory and financial information on over 1.4 million UK companies.
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants - "the largest international accountancy body, with nearly 300,000 members and students in 160 countries". Some areas of the site restricted to members, but the Students section includes full texts of technical articles, information about qualifications, and sample exam papers.
- Financial Reporting Council - "an organisation whose purpose is to promote and secure good financial reporting". Site includes full text of the current Annual Review, Report & Financial Statements and press notices, plus a free email newsletter available upon registration.
Subsidiary bodies include the Accounting Standards Board - the ASB aims "to establish and improve standards of financial accounting and reporting, for the benefit of users, preparers, and auditors of financial information". Site incorporates full text of the monthly newsletter Inside Track, summaries of Financial Reporting Standards and the ASB's Statement of Principles, and background information on current projects and related organisations. - Financial Services Authority - information about the FSA's responsibilities and activities: "the regulation of investment business in the UK, the supervision of banks in the UK and listed money market institutions". Guidance for the general public, full texts of press releases and Consultation Papers, plus the online version of the FSA Handbook of Rules and Guidance (updated monthly).
- FINWeb - directory of internet resources for financial economics, compiled by Dr James Garven, Louisiana State University. Not searchable, but sites are described and classified.
- FT.com - the website of the Financial Times newspaper, offering summary global and regional news articles and markets data updated hourly, plus background information on companies currently in the news, detailed country and industry surveys, and other sources of personal and professional financial information. Searchable site.
Members of the University of York can read an archive of the previous 5 years of the Financial Times newspaper via FT.com. For access, follow the link to MetaLib under Databases and Datasets above. - Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales - "the largest professional accountancy body in Europe". Site includes information about the Institute's activities and professional standards, plus advice on professional development, and lots of useful online library services such as Frequently Asked Questions, a Knowledge Centre of links to other relevant websites, and a searchable Directory of Essential Accountancy Abbreviations.
- Statistics Insight - "Statistics Insight is a new service from Business Insight, a business information service based at Birmingham Central Library. The Statistics Database is a free searchable database of sources containing data of interest to business. Sources include trade journals, official sources and market research".
- UK Society of Investment Professionals - a member society of the international Association for Investment Management and Research, "an international, non-profit organisation of investment practitioners and academics which oversees the Chartered Financial Analyst qualification". Site provides information about study programmes and professional support, plus free access to a limited number of recent issues of the Professional Investor journal.
Health economics
See also Health Information Sources.
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York - information about research and study programmes, and a full list of publications.
See the Health Economics Resource Centre pages for information about resources for staff and students, including a substantial directory of Health Economics Resources on the Internet, maintained by David McDaid, London School of Economics. - NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination - based at the University of York, the CRD "was established in January 1994 to provide the NHS with important information on the effectiveness of treatments and the delivery and organisation of health care". Site provides information about the CRD's publications (some full texts available), free access to several databases of reviews and evaluations, a directory of Information Resources in Health Economics, and a further collection of links to websites of other relevant organisations.
- York Health Economics Consortium - "established in 1986 as an exempt charity wholly owned by the University of York. Our purpose is to provide independent consultancy, applied research and training to the NHS and health care industry. We specialise in health economics, statistics and health services research but emphasise the importance of applying these disciplines in a practical way". Site includes information about services and publications.
- ECuity Project - established in 1990 by academic and professional researchers from a range of EU countries, the USA and Switzerland, to "compare equity in health care across countries", looking at how equity is defined in terms of health care finance, health care delivery and inequalities in health. Site provides a history of the project, publications by project officers which are free to download, and links to other related sites.
- HealthEconomics.com - "the professional's guide to health economics, medical and pharmacy resources on the Net". Searchable, classified list of links to professional bodies, educational institutions, online publications and databases (hosted in the US - some American bias but a good selection of non-US sites).
- Health Economics Core Library Project - compiled for the US National Library of Medicine by AcademyHealth, "the professional home for health services researchers, policy analysts, and practitioners", a core list of books, journals, websites and bibliographic databases in the field of health economics. Websites have a bias towards North American sites.
- International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) - site of an organisation who aims "to translate pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research into practice to ensure that society allocates scarce healthcare resources wisely, fairly, and efficiently". Includes information about ISPOR publications, including its Value in Health journal (selected years of which are available online to non-subscribers), and a comprehensive set of links to other pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research websites.
- OECD Health Policy Unit - site in English and French provides free-to-access news and research articles from OECD staff, who "collect a large set of data on health status and health care systems in Member countries", and whose work "has become a reference source for researchers and policy makers world-wide".
Members of the University of York: the OECD Health Data statistics resource is available via the SourceOECD data service - see Databases at York for access instructions and a guide to use. - Office of Health Economics (UK) - "independent research, advisory and consultancy services on policy implications and economic issues within the pharmaceutical, health care and biotechnology sectors". Site includes news about recent OHE research and activities, details of publications, and demonstrations of databases produced by the OHE.
Subject Arrangement
The following is a summary of the main subject divisions relevant to Economics as arranged in the Library. It is not a comprehensive list of all subjects covered.
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