INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS FOR THE LAY PERSON:
Crash Course Statistics - a series of short videos dedicated to helping people make sense of statistics in their lives.
PLACES TO START LOCATING DATA SETS:
Researchers can search for data sets using re3data.org - a global registry of research data repositories that covers research data repositories from different academic disciplines. These data sets must be imported (in some cases after format manipulation) into data tools such as SPSS and SAS.
In addition, researchers can search for data sets using Databib - a searchable catalog / registry / directory / bibliography of research-data repositories. These data sets must be imported (in some cases after format manipulation) into data tools such as SPSS and SAS. For additional information about Data support, see the Purdue University Data site.
DOE Scientific Research Data - quickly see what data are available, where data collections reside, and go directly to the data; users can peruse recently added or revised content, view the hundreds of datasets, data streams, and data collections by title, display data from more than 50 subject categories, and select content by sponsoring or originating research organizations.
Another way to uncover data sets is to enter a web search with the term "site:statista.com" .... the example format would be: alcoholic beverages site:statista.com
SimplyAnalytics (was SimplyMap) contains U.S. Census data, business data, and business points that can be manipulated and mapped. You can rank locations based on variables, create demographic analyses, and map variables to the county or sometimes the census Block. If you sign in as a guest, you won’t need to create an account. Accounts are needed only to save search parameters and data results.
CREDO. Searches in dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other reference sources.
Data.gov
Data.gov makes machine readable datasets available from a select set of high value datasets created by the Executive Branch of the federal government. The datasets are searchable in three "catalogs" which provide access to the raw datasets and various tools. The Raw Catalog provides access to data in XML, Text/CSV, KML/KMZ, Feeds, XLS, or ESRI Shapefile formats. The Tools Catalog links you to sites that include data mining and extraction tools and widgets. The Geodata Catalog has links to download federal geospatial data. Data.gov also provides a State/Local tab provides a link to a list of California's machine-readable data provided by a variety of state agencies, such as Department of Toxic Substances Control's Envirostor and the Office of Statewide Health and Planning Division's set of healthcare statistics.
TheDataWeb (U.S. Census Bureau)
"TheDataWeb is a network of online data libraries and an infrastructure for intelligent browsing. TheDataweb provides easy access to data from disparate locations across the internet using DataFerrett as its interface. It brings together demographic, economic, environmental, health, and other datasets that are usually separated by geography and/or organization. " Note: to download the DataFerrett, click on Get Data ~ Run. Datasets available include National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), National Health Interview Survey, American Community Survey, Current Population Survey, and many more.
Statistical Sites on the World Wide Web
Includes over 70 U.S. federal agencies' statistical web sites, as well as links to statistical agencies for over 60 nations and international organizations.
Statistical Abstract of the United States (US Census Bureau)
1878 to 2012 versions are available online with some data back to 1789. 2012 is the last edition published by the US government. Newer census data can be found at Data.gov and the Explore Census Data page.
U.S. Census Bureau
Publications, software, maps, and data sets are available. This is a search tool for locating data from the Decennial Census, the Economic Census, the American Community Survey, the American Housing Survey, Annual Economic Surveys, and more, lets you create tables and maps from Census Bureau data sets.
State and County QuickFacts: Quickly get state, county, and city demographics (including age, race/ethnicity, income, residence, education), business information, and much more.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. Department of Labor) -- Clearinghouse for U.S. labor statistics.
Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities
Provides data on the number and rates of injury and illnesses by industry, details on the injured worker, nature of the disabling condition, and the event resulting in the disabling condition, and details on fatal incidents.
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Data published annually on criminal victimization; populations under correctional supervision; and federal criminal offenders and case processing. Periodic data series include administration of law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities; prosecutorial practices and policies; characteristics of correctional populations; and special studies on other criminal justice topics.
Cancer Facts & Statistics (American Cancer Society)
Includes updated versions of Cancer Facts and Figures, Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Facts and Figures, and more.
CDC Data and Statistics
Quick links to much of the CDC's data, including surveillance, various databases, and laboratory information. Includes FastStats A to Z, quick access to public health statistics organized alphabetically. Includes links to publications that include the statistics presented, to sources of more data, and to related web pages.
CensusScope
CensusScope is an easy-to-use tool for investigating U.S. demographic trends, brought to you by the Social Science Data Analysis Network (SSDAN) at the University of Michigan. With eye-catching graphics and exportable trend data, CensusScope is designed for both generalists and specialists.
Economic Census: United States (U.S. Census Bureau)
"The economic census provides a detailed portrait of the United States' economy once every five years, from the national to the local level. The 2007 Economic Census covers most of the U.S. economy in its basic collection of establishment statistics. There also are several related programs, including statistics on minority- and women-owned businesses. Censuses of agriculture and governments are conducted at the same time." Data can also be refined by state or county.
Fast Facts: Almanacs, Statistical Reports & Related Reference Tools
Collection of links to sites with "fast facts".
UNdata
UNdata makes over 30 UN statistical databases containing more than 60 million records searchable from one location. "The numerous databases, tables and glossaries containing over 60 million data points cover a wide range of themes including Agriculture, Crime, Education, Employment, Energy, Environment, Health, HIV/AIDS, Human Development, Industry, Information and Communication Technology, National Accounts, Population, Refugees, Tourism, Trade, as well as the Millennium Development Goals indicators." UNdata replaces and expands the UN Common Database with broader data coverage from various international and National sources.
Project Atlas (World Health Organization)
"WHO's Communicable Disease Global Atlas is bringing together for analysis and comparison standardized data and statistics for infectious diseases at country, regional, and global levels. The analysis and interpretation of data are further supported through information on demography, socioeconomic conditions, and environmental factors. Key components of the Global Atlas include:
WHO Cancer Mortality Database
Data can be analyzed by year, country, and cancer site. For some countries the data goes back to 1950. The database is updated twice a year.
WHO Global Health Observatory (GHO)
GHO provides access to statistical and epidemiological data available from the World Health Organization and elsewhere. The WHO Statistical Information System (WHOSIS) has been integrated into this new system.
World Development Indicators Online
This database, produced by the World Bank, is "the primary World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially-recognized international sources. It presents the most current and accurate global development data available, and includes national, regional and global estimates." It provides access to over 1100 development indicators with time series for 209 countries and 18 country groups from 1960 to 2009. Data includes vital statistics, demographics, labor force, health expenditures, malnutrition, pollution, trade, consumption, GDP, GNP, investment activity, debt, and much more.
World Factbook
Maps and information on the geography, people, economy, etc. of every country in the world. Published annually by the CIA.
The General Social Survey (GSS) started in 1972 and completed its 28th round in 2010. For the last third of a century the GSS has been monitoring social change and the growing complexity of American society. The GESIS Data Archive for the Social Sciences is produced by the ISSP, a continuing annual programme of cross-national collaboration on surveys covering topics important for social science research
STATISTICS AND DATA MENTIONED IN THE RESEARCH LITERATURE
Statistics and data sets in specific fields can also be discovered by locating research reports published in the journal literature. Many research reports and articles contain data sets and/or pointers to other data and statistics.
The best way to locate subject-specific research materials is by using the key resource tools listed in our Subject Guides
Visualizations of statistics are explored in the Seeing Theory web site.
FactCheck.ORG reviews the accuracy of public statements made by politicians.