Published statistics are important sources of information for business and industry and most statistics either come from official sources, produced by central government, or non-official sources such as trade associations, professional bodies, market research organizations and economic research institutes.

Examples are used to show the strengths and weaknesses of statistical sources and to compare different sources. A bibliography of all the sources mentioned is included at the end of the book; Appendix 1 gives the names and addresses of contacts for further information and Appendix 2 is a list of selected abbreviations and acronyms.