This guide is your gateway to discovering research datasets, statistics, and data-related resources across a variety of disciplines. Whether you’re looking for demographic data, survey results, financial figures, or other data sources, you’ll find key resources and strategies to support your work. Inside, you’ll find:
If you’re searching for literature databases, head over to the Databases Guide.
Explore the Guide: Use the tabs in this guide to navigate different data sources available through GWU and beyond. Keep in mind that sources are often listed at the organizational level rather than by specific datasets or variables. For example, you might not find "firefighters" listed directly, but you could explore data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks professions, including fire safety.
Search the Literature: Looking at published research can help identify datasets commonly used in your field. Even if specific datasets aren’t mentioned, scholarly articles often cite the organizations or government agencies that collect relevant data. Need help with literature searching? Check out our other research guides, reach out to a subject librarian, or use Ask a Librarian. Another useful tool is the ICPSR Bibliography of Data-Related Literature, which links datasets to publications that have used them. You can also explore Google’s Dataset Search to find openly available datasets.
Ask: Who Collects This Data? Collecting data is resource-intensive, so consider which organizations have a reason to track the information you need. Governments, industry groups, non-profits, and market researchers are often key sources.
Finding the Most Recent Statistics: Data collection takes time, so the latest available statistics might be a few years old. Be prepared to work with the most recent reliable numbers.
Follow the Trail: If you find a statistic cited in an article, track down the original source, such as a government agency or research organization. The original data provider may offer more details or additional statistics.
Evaluate Sources Carefully: Just as with any research, consider the reliability of the source. Who produced the data? Are they transparent about their methodology? Are they neutral or advocating for a particular viewpoint? Reliable sources typically provide access to the original data and explain how statistics were derived.
Make an Appointment with a Research/Data Librarian: If you're struggling to find the right dataset or need help navigating data sources, schedule a consultation with a librarian who specializes in research and data. We can help refine your search strategies and identify relevant sources.
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