Statistical Sources

Sources for Datasets

Databases

State and Local

United States

International

Internet Usage


Sources for Datasets

Afeworki Paulos (apaulos2@andrew.cmu.edu) is the librarian serving as the ICPSR representative. He will be happy to assist in acquiring data from ICPSR.
  • Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR)
    The ICPSR archive includes studies from the social sciences and related disciplines. Since Carnegie Mellon is a member of ICPSR, faculty and students can order data free of charge. Data files can be downloaded directly to your on-campus workstation from the web site. From off-campus, you can download data if you use the libraries' proxy server. Most studies include electronic documentation files. Some older studies only have print documentation at the present time but eventually all studies will include electronic documentation. You can search CAMEO to determine if the library already has a particular codebook. ICPSR includes several specialized archives such as:
  • Roper Center
    The Roper Center is "an archive, preserving the data from polls conducted by many leading survey research organizations for the use of researchers, students, and journalists." Linked from the Roper Center site, iPOLL’s online database contains “survey results from academic, commercial and media survey organizations.”  Access iPOLL from any CMU IP address by clicking the login option and entering your email address.

  • Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (University of Minnesota - Minnesota Population Center)
    Two groups of data are available. IPUMS-USA consists of twenty-five samples of the American population drawn from the federal censuses of 1850 to 1990. IPUMS assigns uniform codes across all the samples and brings relevant documentation into a coherent form to facilitate analysis of social and economic change. IPUMS-International is a new project dedicated to collecting and distributing census data from around the world. Its goals are to collect and preserve data and documentation, harmonize data, and to disseminate the data absolutely free.

  • NESSTAR
    NESSTAR Explorer offers a free tool to find data across organisational and national boundaries and for browsing
    and downloading both data and metadata. Users must download the NESSTAR Explorer software and register online to download data.

  • The Pew Internet & American Life Project
    This research project provides data on how the Internet affects Americans in many facets of their lives. Original datasets will be made available on the web site, usually about six months after publication of Project reports dealing with the collected data. The site also offers information pertinent to gaining Institutional Review Board approval.

  • SDA: Survey Documentation & Analysis (University of Berkeley)
    Users can conduct such data analyses as cross-tabulations, comparison of correlations, multiple regressions, and more. The program also generates statistics, SPSS & SAS data defintion statements, and codebooks. Studies available for analysis include the General Social Surveys, National Election Studies, Chicago African American Survey, etc.

  • StatLib
    StatLib is a system hosted by the Carnegie Mellon Statistics Department for distributing statistical software, datasets, and information by electronic mail, FTP, and the World Wide Web.

Databases

  • LexisNexis Statistical
    This database provides electronic access to three important sources that index over 100,000 statistical publications. The ASI, SRI, and IIS components can be searched individually or in combination. The Statistical Abstract of the United States (1996-) is included in the ASI section.

    • American Statistics Index (ASI) (1973-present).
      Statistical information from United States government agencies.

    • Statistical Reference Index (SRI) (1980-present).
      Statistics published by state governments and private organizations.

    • Index to International Statistics (IIS) (1983-present).
      Statistics from international and intergovernmental organizations.

    Two search methods are available.

    • Power Tables takes you directly to individual tables containing your search terms. Most tables are from federal government sources.
    • The indexes and abstracts section enables a user to search the entire contents of the database.
    • CAUTION: Different search strategies are necessary for each section. Power Tables uses very specific index terms; indexes and abstracts utilize broader concepts. Using the "Subject List" for the latter type of search will usually provide the best results.

    The print editions of the ASI and SRI indexes and abstracts are available in Hunt Reference. Hunt Library holds the full text of ASI (1978-present) and SRI (1980-present) documents on microfiche. Some international statistics can be located in the University Libraries by searching the library catalog (CAMEO). Hillman Library (University of Pittsburgh) holds the IIS microfiche collection.

  • Stat-USA/Internet
    This database from the U.S. Department of Commerce focuses upon business, economic, and trade data. The State of the Nation section provides various financial and economic data regarding the U.S. economy. The GLOBUS & NTDB area contains current and historical trade-related releases, international market research, trade opportunities, country analysis, and the the National Trade Data Bank (NTDB).

State and Local

  • Census State Data Centers
    These centers are cooperative ventures between the Census Bureau and state statistical offices. The Pennsylvania site includes much of the data found in the Pennsylvania Abstract and the County Data Books described below.
  • County and City Extra. 1992-.
    HUNT REF-1 HA203 .C68 1992
    Statistics cover population, households, births and deaths, crime data, education, income, housing, labor force, economic, government finance and election data for states, counties, metropolitan areas, and cities.
  • Pennsylvania Abstract. 1992-.
    HUNT REF-1 HA607 .P4 1992
    Data covers population, housing, marital status, employment and income, education, social services, state and local taxes, crime and law enforcement, and sectors of the economy.
  • Pennsylvania County Data Book. 1985, 1995-.
    HUNT REF-1 HA607
    Hunt Library holds volumes for the six counties that make up the Pittsburgh metropolitan area -- Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. The spiral-bound data books include information on demographics, transportation, housing, income, and quality of life. Much of this data is available through the Pennsylvania State Data Center web site.
  • The Sourcebook of County Demographics. 1990-.
    HUNT REF-1 304.6 S7242A
    This is an excellent source for current information. Data is available on population, race, age distribution, households, median income, disposable income by age, and spending potential indexes.
  • The Sourcebook of Zip Code Demographics. 1990-.
    HUNT REF-1 HA203 .S66 1990
    This is an excellent source for current information, especially for small areas. Data is available on population, race, age distribution, households, median income, disposable income by age, and includes spending potential indexes. Some projections also are offered.

United States

  • Ameristat (Population Reference Bureau)
    Ameristat provides instant summaries, both graphically and in text, of the demographic features of the U.S. population. Data can be customized by users on such topics as population estimates and projections, race and ethnicity, migration, income and poverty, the elderly population, and more. The data also may be downloaded.

  • Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
    Circular A-130 deals with data collection and federal information resources issues. Government statisticians use this document as a general guide in their work.

  • Statistical Abstract of the United States.1878-. (annual)
    HUNT REF-1 HA202 1985
    The Statistical Abstract is a compilation of statistics published by the U.S. government and some private organizations. This is a very useful starting point for statistical information as it gives sources for all tables and frequently has time-series data. The current edition is available on the U.S. Census Bureau web site.

 

International

  • InfoNation (United Nations)
    InfoNation is an easy-to-use, two-step database that allows you to view and compare the statistical data for member states of the United Nations. You can select up to seven countries and four variables for comparison.
  • Global Statistics (GeoHive)
    The main kind of data you can find here is on the population of regions, countries, provinces and cities. Next to that there are some statistics on economic factors like wealth, infrastructure and more. The site also contains historical data, projections, rankings, and links to statistical agencies throughout the world.
  • Demographic Yearbook. 1951-. (annual) [United Nations]
    HUNT REF-1 HA17 .D45 53 RD 2001
    HUNT BND-JOUR-3
    The Demographic Yearbook includes statistics on population, natality (birth rate), mortality, marriage, and divorce. More recent editions are in HUNT REF-1.
  • Monthly Bulletin of Statistics. 1947-. (monthly) [United Nations]
    HUNT BND-JOUR-3
    This publication provides information on population, employment and unemployment, industrial production, transport, prices, and finance.
  • Statistical Yearbook 1948-. (annual) [United Nations]
    HUNT REF-1 HA12.5 .U63
    HUNT BND JOUR-3
    These volumes cover population and social statistics, economic activity, and international economic relations. More recent versions in HUNT REF-1.
  • UNESCO Statistical Yearbook (annual) [United Nations]
    HUNT BND JOUR-3
    This series provides data on education, technology, culture, and the media.

 

Internet Usage

  • Computer Almanac (Brad Myers)
    The Almanac is a collection of numbers relevant to computers, along with references. Topics include home & work, speed, programming, internet, crime, etc.

 

Educational Opportunities

    The Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) annually offers a Summer Program in Quantitative Methods. The program covers such diverse areas as research design, statistics, data analysis, and social methodology. Basic methodological and technical training is offered, along with opportunities for advanced work in specialized areas. Courses include four-week, one-week, and 2-to-5-day workshops. ICPSR announces each summer's program in March and provides for online registration.

    Since Carnegie Mellon is an institutional member of ICPSR, faculty and students are eligible for discounted registration rates. Some classes are competitive and require a vita and cover letter as part of the application process. The Bureau of Criminal Justice Statistics sponsors the four-week workshop on Quantitative Analysis of Crime and Criminal Justice and provides a stipend to cover expenses. ICPSR offers a small amount of travel funds for other workshops.

    Back to top