abstract:A statistical database is a database used for statistical analysis purposes. It is an OLAP (online analytical processing), instead of OLTP (online transaction processing) system.
From its database, Equifax determined total credit card debt in each of the 50 largest metropolitan statistical areas and metropolitan divisions from the first quarter of 2009.
In order to conduct the sort of statistical analysis Silver faults Noonan's column for lacking, you'd need a representative database of persons who are politically active and a method of coding their political activity by ideology and intensity.