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Finding Data & Statistics
Statistics can strengthen your argument or provide valuable context for the scope of the issue you're researching. Begin by thinking critically about who might collect and analyze data on your topic. Government agencies, international bodies, and specialized research groups all might be great sources to get you started!
As you're starting your search, remember that data is different from statistics. Data is raw information, while statistics are data that have been analyzed and interpreted. Keep that in mind as you consider what type of information you need.
National Data and Statistics
- Statistical Abstract of the U.S. (ProQuest) This link opens in a new window
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- What’s included? The authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic conditions of the United States.
- What dates are covered? 1878 - Present.
- U.S. Data and Statistics
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A subset of USA.gov, provides a list along with links of data producing federal and state agencies. Also includes links to government sites that provide data maps. - Census Bureau
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Official government source for a broad range of social, demographic, business, and economic statistics. Historical data can be found under the "Publications" links on the Census homepage. - Census Data
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This is the page that allows you to extract data from the Census. You can use the Advanced Search to browse and view the summary files. - USA.gov
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This gateway to government information includes links to statistical data at the federal, state, and local level. Links are arranged by topic. A "Facts for You" links to statistical data based on geography. The search engine allows searching by keyword and will bring up general web sites that may contained desired data but will not produce results for individual statistical tables. - Data.gov
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An open data site from the U.S. government offering a single access point to data from diverse government agencies. - Pew Research Center
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A nonpartisan fact tank that conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, and other data collection on a diversity of topics. - National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS)
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Sponsored by the University of Minnesota, the NHGIS contains "summary statistics and GIS files for U.S. censuses and other nationwide surveys from 1790 through the present."
International Data and Statistics
- UNdata This link opens in a new window
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- What’s included? The United Nations Data Access System, providing access to current, relevant and reliable statistics for free. Includes official statistics produced by countries, as well as estimates and projections. The domains covered are agriculture, education, energy, industry, labor, national accounts, population and tourism.
- What else should I know? Produced by United Nations Statistics and Population Divisions as well as other United Nations agencies.
- Google Public Data Explorer
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This tool creates visual representations of public data from US, European, and other international sources. For more information, click on the "Datasets" link on the left side of the main page. - United Nations Statistics
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This link proves access to global statistical information compiled by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.