Data & Statistics: Getting Started

Searching for "data" can mean different things to different researchers in different contexts. Possibilities might include:

1. Searching for data that has already been analyzed and calculated into statistics and published in a report or through an official website. This might also include data tables, data dashboards, or data visualizations. If this is what you need, you are in the right place.

• This research guide highlights data and statistics primarily from government agencies or intergovernmental organizations.

2.  Finding scholarly articles where primary data was collected and analyzed.

• This kind of empirical research or evidence-based research can be found in peer reviewed social science or scientific articles in journals available through library databases.
• Research guides for specific disciplines or programs can help identify databases with academic journals.

3.  Locating large datasets or data files for download to analyze on your own with computer software.

• This research guide will provide some links to datasets for download. The Open Data guide specifically highlights data sets for download and computational research.

► ► ► Confused? Have questions? Contact the librarians listed on this research guide for help or use Ask a Librarian.