RAND California FAQs

RAND California FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is the relationship between RAND and RAND California?

2. Why can't I access certain information from RAND California?

3. Are there discounts for non-profit RAND California subscribers?

4. How often is the content on RAND California updated?

5. Can I post a publication on RAND California's Online Library?

6. What has happened to RAND California's Online Calendar?

7. How can I find out what kind of statistics are available on RAND California?

8. How do I copy data from the table I am viewing to my disk?

9. Why can't I print graphs from the site? And why does the graph take a long time to display?

10. Why won't the graphing function index the data series I've selected?

11. What does data returned as NA indicate?

12. Why does the graphing function only return an empty box?

13. Can I re-publish the statistics or other content from RAND California?

14. How do I cite information from RAND California?

1. What is the relationship between RAND and RAND California?
RAND sponsors the RAND California web site. RAND is a public policy research organization with headquarters in Santa Monica, CA.

2. Why can't I access certain information from RAND California?
Although the RAND California Online Library, is free, RAND California Statistics is available by subscription only. For information on subscribing, see Subscribe to RAND California.

3. Are there discounts for non-profit or other RAND California subscribers?
There are currently no discounts, although multiple users receive discounts. Site licenses are also available. See Subscribe to RAND California for more information.

4. How often is the content on RAND California updated?
The frequenty of updates varies according to the data source. Some data are updated monthly, others quarterly, and others annually. A RAND California Online Statistics Search page links users with data categories, updates, periodity, originating data sources, and other relevant factors.
Occasionally, updates are delayed by the data provider. When this occurs, we make every attempt to note this on our site.

5. Can I post a publication on RAND California's Online Library?
Yes. Post publications on Submit a Publication to RAND California. Not all submissions can be accepted, however.

6. What has happened to RAND California's Online Calendar?
This has been replaced by "What's New."

7. How can I find out what kind of statistics are available on RAND California?
Users can browse statistics on RAND California Statistics. Another useful link is the Search this Website page, which allows users to search using keywords.

8. How do I copy data from the table I am viewing to my disk?
Choose the "tab delimited" option under data format on any form. Then save the data, which should open automatically in most spreadsheet applications.

9. Why can't I print graphs from the site? And why does the graph take a long time to display?
Most browsers won't yet print java graphs. Eventual improvements should allow users to print graphs in the future. The Java Applet takes about 10-15 seconds to load the first time in your session. After that, each graph should take no more than 1-2 seconds to load.

10. Why won't the graphing function index the data series I've selected?
The index function divides each value in a data series by the first data point. If this is zero or NA, the graph won't be able to divide and will return an incomplete time series.

11. What does data returned as NA indicate?
This indicates that data are not available. This will appear as NA in a table and as a blank space on a graph.

12. Why does the graphing function only returns an empty box?
The graphing function does not work on early versions of Internet Explorer. For the best performance, upgrade to the most recent version of Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.

13. Can I re-publish the statistics or other content from RAND California?
Yes, but you must cite RAND California as the source. In some cases (as indicated on submission forms), you must cite the originating data source, as well. See our Terms and Conditions of Use for more details.

14. How do I cite information from RAND California??
In most cases, cite the specific page or form from RAND California as the source. E.g., http://ca.rand.org/stats/economics/airport.html. You may also want to provide the exact title of the page (e.g., RAND California Major Airport Operating Statistics), and the publication date since our data are time stamped.

Other questions: write to nation@randstatistics.org

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