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Social Research Methods
This guide will serve as a starting point to find statistics and data. If you need assistance, please contact a librarian for help.
Subject:
Semester and Year:
Fall 2018
Course number:
SOC/CRM 500
Instructor:
Day, Jacob
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Starting Points
ICPSR (Inter University Consortium for Political and Social Research)
ICPSR maintains and provides access to a vast archive of social science data for research and instruction, including a data archive of more than 500,000 files of research in the social sciences. It hosts 16 specialized collections of data in education, aging, criminology, criminal justice, social work, sociology, substance abuse, terrorism, and other fields.
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Data-Planet
Provides access to statistical information produced by the U.S. government, major international and intergovernmental organizations, professional and trade organizations, private companies, state government agencies, and universities. Create maps and reports from data. Compare and manipulate tens of millions of statistical data series available in the repository. Subjects include health, crime, population, finance, industry, marketing, and more.
Find guides on searching Data-Planet at https://data-planet.libguides.com/
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Statista
Statista aggregates statistical information on over 60,000 topics from more than 18,000 sources, including market research institutes, trade organizations, scientific journals, government databases, and many other private and public resources.
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Statistical Abstract of the United States
The Statistical Abstract is the best known and most popular single source of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. This database is designed to serve as a convenient, easy-to-use statistical reference source and as a guide to statistical publications and sources.
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iPOLL
The largest collection of poll data anywhere—1935 to present, all US polling firms, broad topical coverage of opinions and behavior on social issues, politics, pop culture, international affairs, and more. International and US datasets available for immediate download.
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CQ Voting and Elections Collection
A database of elections data, authoritative analyses, concise explanations, and historical materials to help researchers investigate and understand voting and elections in America from 1789-present.
[More details]Other Databases and Data Sources
Bureau of the Census
Homepage for the United States Census Bureau. Provides information on population research, programs and surveys, and census careers.
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Explore Census Data
Searchable database of digital content from the U.S. Census Bureau. Provides information related to the population, economy, and other subjects surveyed by the Census.
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LINC
Log Into North Carolina (LINC) is an interactive data retrieval service containing historical information for over 900 data items and a variety of geographic areas within the state. Topics include population, labor force, education, transportation, revenue, agriculture, vital statistics, energy and utilities, and other topics for a variety of geographic areas within the state.
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World Development Indicators Online
World Development Indicators Online, published by the World Bank, is a comprehensive database of development information covering more than 575 indicators, 225 countries, and 18 regional and income groups. The extensive collection includes data on population, income, social, economic, financial, natural resources and environmental indicators from 1960 onwards.
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Historical Statistics of the United States
This five-volume reference work reflects thirty years of new data and scholarship. Topics ranging from migration and health to crime and the Confederate States of America are each placed in historical context by a recognized expert in the field.
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Pew Research Center
The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does not take positions on policy issues. Its work is carried out by these seven projects: The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, Project for Excellence in Journalism, Pew Internet & American Life Project, The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, Pew Hispanic Center, Pew Global Attitudes Project, Social & Demographic Trends.
[More details]Government Resources
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Governmental source for criminal justice information and statistics. Data topics include corrections, courts, Native American justice statistics, law enforcement, and victims.
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National Criminal Justice Reference Service
NCJRS is a federally funded resource offering justice and substance abuse information to support research, policy, and program development worldwide.
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Bureau of Labor Statistics
Resource for labor market activity, working conditions, price changes, and productivity statistics in the United States. Agency historically has used data collection to inform public and private economic practices and policies.
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National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) collects, analyzes, and makes available data related to education in the U.S. and other nations.
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National Center for Health Statistics (CDC)
Provides US public health statistics including diseases, pregnancies, births, aging, and mortality. Public use data files are available for download.
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Bureau of the Census
Homepage for the United States Census Bureau. Provides information on population research, programs and surveys, and census careers.
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Uniform Crime Reports (FBI)
Resource for crime and law enforcement educators, students, and professionals.
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FBI Records: The Vault
Searchable database of previously unreleased FBI records and documents. Contains 6700 documents and media.
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Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Homepage of AHRQ, a federal agency which works to improve safety and quality of the American healthcare system. Resource for education and training, funding and grants, tools, and data and research collection.
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Department of Commerce
Federal department which promotes job creation and economic growth by ensuring fair trade, providing the data necessary to support commerce and constitutional democracy, and fostering innovation by setting standards and conducting foundational research and development.
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North Carolina Department of Commerce
The state's lead agency for economic, community, and workforce development.
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Department of Housing and Urban Development
Official website for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD's mission is to provide quality affordable housing to everyone and develop sustainable communities.
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HUD USER Data Sets
Provides researchers with access to the original electronic data sets generated by the PD&R sponsored data collection efforts such as the American Housing Survey, median family income limits, as well as microdata from research initiatives on topics such as housing discrimination, the HUD-insured multifamily housing stock, and the public housing population.
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Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Resource for national data on commercial aviation, train activity, and transportation economics. The agency strives to provide context on transportation statistics for policy makers and the public. Site also provides information on jobs and internships with the agency.
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Department of the Treasury
Official website for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the government body responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the U.S.
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Social Security Administration
The mission of the Social Security Administration is to deliver social security services that meet the changing needs of the public.
[More details]Websites
General Social Survey (GSS)
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Organization that conducts basic scientific research on the structure and development of American society with a data-collection program designed to both monitor societal change within the United States and to compare the United States to other nations.
Pew Research Center: The Databank
The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press offers free access to its data archive. Datasets are currently available dating back to January 1997. The Center's survey data are released six months after the reports are issued and are posted on the web as quickly as possible.
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Consortium of European Social Science Data Archives (CESSDA)
Organization that provides large-scale, integrated, and sustainable data services to the social sciences. It brings together social science data archives across Europe, with the aim of promoting the results of social science research and supporting national and international research and cooperation.
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European Social Survey
Conducted every two years, the survey measures the attitudes, beliefs, and behavior patterns of diverse populations in more than thirty nations.
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SHARE - Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe
The Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) is a multidisciplinary and cross-national panel database of micro data on health, socioeconomic status and social and family networks of more than 40,000 individuals aged 50 or over.
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UK Data Archive
The UK Data Archive (UKDA) is a center of expertise in data acquisition, preservation, dissemination and promotion and is curator of the largest collection of digital data in the social sciences and humanities in the UK.
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UK National Statistics Publication Hub
The Publication Hub remains the first port of call for all those seeking the latest statistics from government departments in the UK. It is the central website for hosting all first releases of national statistics.
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Center for International Development
This page is a depository for data developed through research at the Center for International Development at Harvard University (CID). Often the data are associated with a research paper, which is also available for downloading.
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UNdata
The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) has launched an internet-based data service for the global user community. It brings UN statistical databases within easy reach of users through a single entry point from which users can now search and download a variety of statistical resources of the UN System.
[More details]Criminology Librarian
Kiana Webster

Kiana
Webster
Social Sciences & History Librarian
Email:
Phone Number:
Office:
RL2055
Meet with Me:
Coordinator of Government Information
Beth Kaylor
Beth
Kaylor
Coordinator of Government Information
Email:
Phone Number:
Office:
RL2062A