Finding & Using Data

Looking for data? Consider: 

1. Who is interested in collecting this data? Who has the authority to collect it?

• Governments? Organizations? Researchers? 

2. Is the data located within a library resource?

• Use the A--Z database list to view Statistics & Dataset resources.

3. Is the data archived in a data repository?

• Use the resources on this page to locate and search within repositories that potentially contain the data.

4. Can you locate a publication that cites the data you are looking for, such as an article, book, report or website?

• You may be able to locate a data citation. 
• You may be able to obtain information to contact the researcher to request the data.

5. Is the data freely available on the web? Try out these Google tips:

• Limit your search to a specific domain: .edu, .org, .gov. for example, "great depression" tulare site:.edu.
• Use the search options in Google Advanced Search.
• Topic internationally focused? Try your search in another country's Google domain.