Contents

• Where to get help
• Datasets and statistical databases (a quick reference list)
• Manuals for statistical software (coming soon)

Strategies for finding data

• When you're not sure where to start (coming soon)
• Print and historical statistics in the library (i.e., not online)
• Data on CD-Rom
• Citing data in your research
• Writing with Numbers Workshop Strategies
  

Data resource guides by subject

Comparative Politics, Economics, Middle East Studies (more coming soon)

Receive updates on data and statistical sources

• Data blog: Recommended data sources and tips, organized by topic and searchable by keyword
• Kristin's data bookmarks: Selected links to free data sources online. Browse, search, or subscribe to the bookmarks and get updated when new bookmarks are added

Librarian for Data and Other People Who Can Help

Kristin Partlo is the library liaison for data. She can help you form a strategy for your search for data, discuss your research question, and access data sources. To reach her:

• Make an appointment in Zimbra
• Email: kpartlo [at] carleton [dot] edu
• AIM/Yahoo/GoogleTalk: GouldSocialSci
• Phone: x7668
• Office: Libe 465

Need help with SPSS, Stata, E-Views? Need to talk to someone about regressions? Need help organizing or reformatting your dataset? Contact:

• Paula Lackie, Academic Technologies Team,
  Phone: x5607
  Email: (use a descriptive subject line) plackie [at] carleton [dot] edu
• Math Skills Center
  Drop-in help, weekdays 8:30am-11pm, Saturday 2-5pm, Sunday 2-5, 7-11pm
  Phone: x4026
  Where: CMC 229

Carleton Data Sources

Use the Data Sets and Statistical Databases list to access electronic data available to Carleton students, faculty and staff.

Off campus? First log in to the proxy server, then navigate back to this page.

Strategies for Finding Data

When You're Not Sure Where to Start

(coming soon -- for now, make an appointment with Kristin)

Finding Statistical Resources in Print

Web sites with data almost certainly have the most current numbers, but don't always include data collected in previous years. The library's paper collections afford a wealth of places to find statistics and data beyond what is available from databases online. Books often contain appendixes with tables. Government and non-government agency reports and statistical compendia are likely to contain -- or consist nearly entirely of -- statistical tables and charts.

Search
Most statistical publications are cataloged with a subject heading that contains the word "statistics," for example: Crime - Economic aspects - United States - Statistics.

Perform an Advanced Search with one dropdown set to "Subject contains" and type the word "statistics." Example catalog search for crime statistics.

Browse
Another plausible way to find older statistics is to browse the stacks. This is a useful way of getting around the problem of needing to guess the right words for an effective catalog search. The oversize stacks on 2nd contain a rich collection of statistical compendia.

Chase Citations
Use the books and articles you already have in hand and skim the bibliographies and "Data" sections of the text for the names of studies, datasets, or collection agencies. Search for these names in the catalog.

For example, you might see the IMF's "Direction of Trade Statistics" cited frequently in the literature. Their web site provides access to the current data. Search the Bridge and discover that the annual index is available in its entirety back to 1962 on the second floor of the library.

Searching for raw data

(coming soon)

Data on CD-ROM

Some datasets are distributed on CD-rom and are housed in the Library.

To find more data on CD-ROM, perform a search in the library catalog, Bridge. Try using an Advanced Search and use "CD-ROM" as a keyword, and use a publishing agency as an author. For example:

Any Keyword: cd-rom
and
Author Contains: "bureau of the census"

You could also start by browsing the catalog for data in the following topics:

Education
Health
(more topics coming soon)

Citing Data in Your Research

Coming very soon. In the meantime, Lafayette College Libraries have a great guide to citing data.