Bits, Bytes and Barks: NICAR data update

NICAR announces updated datasets including Uniform Crime Reports, National Bridge Inventory System, and Federal Contracts Data, along with tipsheets and resources to help journalists analyze the information. The IRE Resource Center provides accompanying stories and guidance for using these databases, with an upcoming regional conference scheduled for September 1999.

Bits, Bytes and Barks

NICAR data update

Updates of the following data sets are now available through NICAR's data library. Prices and years available can be found at www.nicar.org or by calling 573-884-7711.

The Uniform Crime report consists of six separate databases from the FBI gathers crime information from law enforcement agencies around the country. All of the databases provide the region, state, county, city, MSA and reporting agency identifier. Those who want to see a slice of the dataset can go to http://www.nicar.org/datalfbi and download a section. The National Bridge Inventory System (NBIS) 1998 includes maintenance records collected by the Federal Highway Administration for assessing the nation's bridges. It is also used by the Department of Defense and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. State inspectors assess bridges and their reports are submitted annually to the FHA. This is a great database for CAR beginners. More information can be found at http://www.nicar.org/datalfhwal index.html#nbis Federal Contracts Data 1998 offers a database of Individual Contract Action Reports (ICARS) created by the Government Services Agency. Each record contains information about the agency granting the contract, the contractor, the place of performance and the contract amount.

This year, NICAR is including a FIPS code table and a table of U.S. Representatives so that reporters can match contracts to local representatives. The FIPS table isn't always filled in, so matches will not appear 100 percent of the time, but it's a good place to start. Upcoming in August: Hazardous Materials, National Boat Registration information and IRS 990 databases.

Tipsheets and stories

In conjunction with NICAR data updates, the IRE Resource Center has put together a list of stories and tipsheets. Not only do the stories help reporters see what kind of information is found in the data sets, but the tipsheets point out potential hazards and give good contacts to help put the information in perspective. We have tipsheets and stories to go with the FBI, Bridges and IRS 990 datasets. We also have stories to match with the Federal Contracts Data. You can search the resource center database at www.ire.org/resourcecenter to see what's offered and to order copies of the tipsheets.

IRE Regional Conference

It's not too late for reporters and editors interested in the IRE Regional Conference coming up in Los Angeles on September 9-12, 1999.

For updates on that conference and other IRE or NICAR gatherings, see www.ire.org/resources/conferences.2