Synopsis

The Appendix briefly presents data sources and descriptions for representative data sets presented in the preceding chapters that may be useful in coursework and modeling of technological change. After presenting data sources, a description, and formats, instructions are given on how to obtain the data sets in electronic form through internet access.

Data Sets: Sources, Description, and Electronic Access

Overview

This Appendix contains a brief description of the sources, definitions, and comments on a number of data sets presented throughout the book. Their order of presentation follows their chronological order as they appear in the text. For each data set the following information is given: title, figure numbers (as appearing in the preceding chapters), file name, time period covered, unit, and description of data items and sources. For those interested in obtaining more historical data sets, we draw attention to the recently released CD-ROM edition (Carter et al, 1997) of the US Historical Statistics (US DOC, 1975).

Data format

All data sets are stored in two file types: spreadsheet (denoted with the respective file extension .wkl) and in plain, comma-delimited, ascii, UNIX-readable format (denoted with the file extension .csv). Thus, altogether the data sets are stored in 10 files with two formats each, yielding 20 files in the directory set up for internet access/downloading. The spreadsheet format chosen is Lotus-123, assuring maximum compatibility with higher version releases of this or similar spreadsheet programs (e.g., Excel).