Statistics? Data? What is the difference? While often the terms are used interchangeably, data are the raw information from which statistics are created. Statistics provide an interpretation and summary of data.
Finding statistics
Since there are many types of statistics, how you search will depend on the kind of information you need.
You can see a list of all of our databases that contain Data & Statistics.
Census Data (U.S. Census Bureau) Offers the most comprehensive demographic data for the United States. The site includes information and statistics on the nation's population, housing, business and manufacturing activity, international trade, farming, and state and local governments.
Business & Economy StatisticsThe Business & Economy Statistics page highlights resources for statistics relevant to research in these areas.
Education StatisticsThere are several sources for finding education statistics depending on what type you are looking for. Explore the Education Statistics link for more information.
More strategies for finding statistics
- Subject Guides: Many include links to useful statistical and data sources in that subject area.
- Look for specific groups that might do research on your topic. Consider who would be interested in your topic (e.g. certain government agencies, advocacy groups, think-tanks, institutes, or companies) Then look at the websites or search for reports from these groups on your topic.
- Search the web. Many statistical sources are freely available on the Web. Search for the kind of evidence you're looking for along with the word statistics (or data).
Watch out for the sponsored results and advertisements that can look like regular search results. When finding things on the Web, evaluate the source carefully for reliability and potential bias.
- Search the catalog. UWG Catalog contains books and government information with statistical information. In the Advanced Catalog Search, enter your topic in 'All Fields' and enter 'statistics' in the 'Subject' line. If you're looking for recent information, limit the date range to the appropriate years (e.g. the past 3, 5, or 10 years).
Finding data
If you haven't already found data, but need to for your project, use our Finding Data & Statistics Guide to help you find data.
