A Correlation Method for Collecting Reference Statistics

Abstract

While studying a sampling technique for collecting reference statistics, a correlation method for calculating reference statistics using weekly door counts also was tested at the University of South Carolina. Reference statistics and door counts taken on the sample weeks of the test year were correlated, and the resulting correlation coefficient between the two variables was used to calculate weekly reference statistics for the nonsampled weeks. The sum of these calculated weekly values and the actual values of the sampled weeks yielded a yearly total of reference transactions that is comparable to the yearly total determined by using the sampling technique. Thus, the correlation method may offer libraries an accurate and less time-consuming procedure for keeping reference statistics.