- Explore the web sites of specific government/private agencies based on your topic, e.g. World Health Organization
- Explore research articles on your topic and identify the datasets that are commonly used.
- When searching the Internet using Google.com, includes site:.gov or site:.edu in your search phrase (to limit your results to governmental or educational web sites, respectively).
- When searching the Internet using Google.com, includes site:.gov or site:.edu in your search phrase (to limit your results to governmental or educational web sites, respectively).
- Search Google Advanced Search for more search options.
Gateways/Directories/Research Guides
- Data.gov"The purpose of Data.gov is to increase public access to high value, machine readable datasets generated by the Executive Branch of the Federal Government." Click the Data tab to conduct a keyword search of datasets. Narrow your search or browse by filters on the left.
- List of Foreign and International Governmental Statistical Agencies“Provides access to statistical websites from foreign and international government organizations.” Foreign language sites here provide an option to translate into English; look for small print along the top of the page. Maintained by Purdue University.
- Data Sets for Quantitative Research: Public Use DatasetsUniversity of Missouri Libraries
- Guide to International and US Statistics SourcesCornell University Library
- Links to Data Sets and RepositoriesAmerican Psychological Association
Selected Web Sites
- Bureau of Justice StatisticsOffice of Justice Programs.
- Current Population Survey (CPS)“The Current Population Survey (CPS), sponsored jointly by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is the primary source of labor force statistics for the population of the United States.”
- Eurostat"Eurostat is the statistical office of the European Union situated in Luxembourg."
- GapminderPresents statistical data on Global trends and issues with animated presentations, and interactive, customizable charts.
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)Presents comparable statistics regarding economic, social and environmental data for the international community. Explore the statistics by selecting the Data tab from the top menu and, then, browse by Topic or Country.
- UNdata: A World of InformationSearches include a keyword Data search (default), a Glossary, and a Country Profiles search (found under More options). Direct links to the national statistics offices of many countries are available in the Country Data Services section.United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).
- WDI World Development Indicators (The World Bank Group)World Bank Group's World Development Indicators.
- World Health Organization (WHO)Explore especially the Health Topics, Countries, and Emergencies drop down menus. Click the Regions tab at the homepage's extreme upper left to select WHO pages for specific geographical areas.
- International Monetary Fund (IMF)Select Countries from the top menu to access IMF reports and publications arranged by country.
- World Economic ForumSelect "Reports" or "Projects" to access research and analysis produced by the organization.
Resource for Public Opinion
- Pew Research CenterThe Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does not take positions on policy issues. Click on Datasets link to find statistical reports arranged by broad research areas and to download data sets. Select Topics link to search by subject or among polling questions.
- The Roper Center for Public Opinion ResearchCornell University