Find statistics on the web by adding "data" or "statistics" or "government" to your keyword search.
Ask yourself who would be most likely to generate a statistic on the desired topic. Consider these likely places, and be sure to consider any possible bias.
- Government agencies and departments
- Professional or trade associations
- Special interest groups
- Data collection agencies
Find organizations by topic by consulting the Encyclopedia of Associations: National Organizations in the US or the Encyclopedia of Associations: International Organizations.
Google search results with the following search terms: statistics site:*.gov - pulls up different US government sites dealing with statistics
- Who collected and published the statistics? What are their credentials?
- What data or statistics are being reported? What populations are included?
- Is the information contemporary to your topic?
- Why was the information collected? Was it collected to understand, to persuade, to sell a product?
- Can you find the original data source from which the statistics were created? Do the statistics
look accurate based on the data? If it was a survey, can you read the survey questions?