Data/Statistics Sources
General Considerations for Finding Statistics
1. Explore the web sites of specific government/private agencies based on your topic, e.g. U.S. Department of Labor.
2. Explore research articles on your topic and identify the datasets that are commonly used.
3. 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).
- Google Advanced Search for more search options.
Gateways/Directories/Research Guides
- Data.govClick the Data tab to conduct a keyword search of datasets. Narrow your search or browse by filters on the left.
- Google Dataset SearchDataset Search is a search engine for datasets. Using a simple keyword search, users can discover datasets hosted in thousands of repositories across the Web.
- 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 Organizations/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.
- Historical Election Statistics (Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives)"Official vote counts for federal elections since 1920 from the official sources compiled by the Office of the Clerk." Records are in .PDF format.
- National Center for Education Statistics"The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education."
- Register & Vote in Your StateUse the links to the state government sites to explore voting results. United States Election Assistance Commission.
- Rutgers Center for American Women and PoliticsExplore the Facts and Research and Scholarship menu options.
- 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).
- U.S. Census BureauClick on the Explore Data tab to find data tools and visualizations.
- 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.
- WDI World Development Indicators (The World Bank Group)World Bank Group's World Development Indicators.
Public Opinion Resources
- 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.
- Quinnipiac University Poll"[C]onducts timely and accurate public opinion polls on politics and public policy in Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and nationally as a public service and for academic research." [From the Mission Statement]
- The Roper Center for Public Opinion ResearchCornell University
Primary Sources
Explore the below guides to find primary sources:
- Primary Documents
- Newspapers (includes historic and current)
Additionally, explore the following video databases:
