Guides: Science Research: Finding Data And Statistics

Data Versus Statistics

If you find yourself asking questions such as "how many?" you are looking for a statistic. A statistic is a numerical fact. They are often found in tables or reported as numbers or percentages in an article.

Data is gathered as a result of a study in order to help understand something and to gain deeper knowledge. Data may be composed of numbers (quantitative) or observations (qualitative). Data is often stored in datasets that can be downloaded and then studied with the help of software packages such as SPSS, SASS, Excel or NVivo.
Source: SUNY Binghamton LibGuide - How To Do Research: Finding Data and Statistics - Data Versus Statistics [5/1/20]

Data And Statistics Evaluation

Evaluating Data

	Dates	Measurements	Source
Criteria	Do the statistics cover the date range for your research? If you are relying on a single statistic from an article, can you verify the date from which the source material's statistics are collected?	Are they measuring what you expect them to measure (in appropriate units)? If you need to compare statistics, are the measurements the same, or can they be converted to the same units without altering their meaning.	Is the source of the statistic clearly identifiable? Is the source reliable?

Finding Data And Statistics

Popular Data Sources:

U.S. Census Data - start here at the primary portal for U.S Census Bureau data on the nation's people and economy. Find data from the decennial census data, American Community Survey, Economic Census and more.
United Nations Data - access this site for statistical data on countries of the world on such indicators as education, environment, labor market, nutrition, trade, etc. The datasets are well-organized and updated.
International Monetary Fund [IMF] - compiles datasets on countries financial and economic data that can be searched and downloaded for analyzing. Featured data includes World Economic Outlook, International Financial Statistics, Fiscal Monitor, and more.
Reference materials - check with the circulation desk and ask for librarian assistance in finding statistics in a reference book. These are often arranged around general topics and statistics can often be quickly located.