Purpose of this Guide
The information in these pages will help you:
- find statistics in library databases
- find articles in scholarly journals with results of statistical studies and experiments
- find reference sources to define and explain concepts in your textbook
- Contact librarians for research assistance.
New to Statistics?
The Against All Odds: Inside Statistics videos from Films on Demand provide an overview on the art and science of gathering, organizing, analyzing and drawing conclusions from data.
Statquest!! Video Index by Josh Starmer contains links to playlists and individual videos on such topics as:
The videos in each category are organized from basic concepts to complicated concepts.
What are Statistics?
Statistics provide an interpretation and summary of data. They are usually presented as tables, charts, or graphs. They can also be reports of numbers or percentages. A statistic will answer such questions as "how much" or "how many." You should use statistics when you need to make a point or support your argument.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2012 (131st edition).
What is Data?
Data is made of up raw numbers, usually with a number of different variables. These numbers often come from research that was conducted as part of a survey or study, and is a primary source. You should look for data when you need raw numbers to complete your own statistics analysis for research. Data is often in the form of a digital data set (or dataset) that can be analyzed using software such as Excel, SPSS, SAS, and so on.
Source: Capitol Data Portal (click on Explore, then Go To Resource)
Databases with Statistical Content
The following library resources will provide access to statistical summaries, as well as datasets.
-
Cross-National Time Series Data Archive This link opens in a new windowA data set comprised of more than 200 years of annual political, legislative, and economic data from 1815 onward for over 200 countries. Over two million data points, from 196 variables, in easy to use Excel format.
-
Historical Statistics of the United States This link opens in a new windowA compendium of statistics from over 37,000 data series -- three times more than in the previous edition -- and dozens of new topics, among them slavery, American Indians, and poverty. Other topics include migration, health, crime, the Confederate States of America, population demographics, religion, business, and education. There are also many essays by recognized experts to put the topics in context.
-
ICPSR This link opens in a new windowA searchable archive of social science data from the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), an international consortium of over 750 research universities working together to acquire and preserve social science data, to provide open and equitable access to these data, and to promote effect data use.
In addition to archiving collections from such disciplines as sociology, economics, political science, and history, ICPSR also has a number of special emphases: gerontology, substance abuse and mental health, criminal justice, child care, health and medical care, and demography.
The data can be downloaded and analyzed in multiple software formats including SPSS, SAS, Stata, and R. -
OECD iLibrary This link opens in a new windowJournals, books, and statistics from the Organization for Economic Development (OECD). Special emphasis on international economics, development and health; country economics, and agriculture. More than 45 different statistical databases, with internationational coverage.
Ask A Librarian
Having trouble? Ask!
- Use our 24/7 Live Chat located on the bottom right of library websites.
- Call (806) 651-2215 during library hours
- Use "Email a Librarian" to ask a question. Typical response time is within 1 business day.
- Stop by the first floor Research or Access desks anytime the library is open