Links to databases and library resources in Public Administration. Also helpful for public budgeting, finance, management, policy, personnel, and related topics.
Data includes a wide range of social, economic and demographic data both from the US and international sources.
Online service that enables researchers to build statistical tables and charts from multiple sources in a single interface. Data includes a wide range of social and demographic data both from the US and international sources.
research data from repositories across disciplines and around the world
The Data Citation Index on the Web of Science™ platform provides a single point of access to quality research data from repositories across disciplines and around the world. Through linked content and summary information, this data is displayed within the broader context of the scholarly research, enabling users to gain perspective that is lost when data sets or repositories are viewed in isolation. These connections allow researchers to efficiently access an array of data across subjects and regions, providing a comprehensive picture of research output, to maximize research efforts and accurately assess importance.
The world's largest archive of computerized social science data
The Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) is a membership-based, non-profit data archive located at the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. It serves member colleges and universities in the United States and abroad by providing: Access to the world's largest archive of computerized social science data, Training facilities for the study of quantitative social analysis techniques, Resources for social scientists using advanced computer technologies. PSU users get access to ICPSR by creating an individual account using their PSU e-mail ID. This is what identifies them as a PSU affiliate. We do not have IP access. Go to: http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/index.jsp - See login at top left. Note: occasionally you will need to login using a computer on campus to validate that you are still a PSU affiliate.
U.S. Data
The Libraries provide access to many sources of data and statistics. Here are a few starting points.
statistics from over 1,000 sources recording every aspect of the history of the United States
Provides a comprehensive compendium of statistics from over 1,000 sources recording every aspect of the history of the United States from population to prices; from voting patterns to Vietnam veterans; from energy to education; from abortions to zinc and everything in between. Over 80 scholars have contributed their efforts and expertise to select, assemble, and document the data, to write the introductory essays, and to analyze the material.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics measures labor market activity, working conditions, price changes, and productivity in the U.S. economy to support public and private decision making.
historical analysis of members of Congress, their legislative voting behavior, interest groups, and their interactions in crafting public policy.
CQ Congress Collection is a dynamic research and reference tool allowing historical analysis of members of Congress, their legislative voting behavior, interest groups, and their interactions in crafting public policy.
provides access to data about the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas. It contains data from a broad range of surveys and censuses from the United States.
Limited to 3 concurrent users. SimplyAnalytics enables users to quickly create professional quality thematic maps and reports using extensive demographic data (ie. census, consumer expenditure data) including data from D&B, the County Business Patterns Survey (CBP), EASI/MRI, and Claritas PRIZM . SimplyAnlytics turns complex data into valuable information that is easily accessed through an innovative and user-friendly interface. Data is available at the State, Congressional District, County, City, ZIP Code, Census Tract and Block Group level.
Limited to 3 concurrent users. SimplyAnalytics enables non-technical users to quickly create professional quality thematic maps and reports using extensive demographic data (ie. census, consumer expenditure data) including estimates and projections, business data from D&B and the County Business Patterns Survey (CBP) and marketing data from EASI/MRI and Claritas PRIZM segments. SimplyAnlytics turns complex data into valuable information that is easily accessed through an innovative and user-friendly interface. Data is available at the State, Congressional District, County, City, ZIP Code, Census Tract and Block Group level in addition to custom trade area and can be exported as images, shapefiles or in tabular formats. Authorized PSU users must "Sign in as a guest" if they do not wish to register for a personal account. Personal accounts save your preferences, reports, and maps.
International Data and Statistics
A few key resources with international data to get you started.
political, economic, financial, and social data for over 140 countries
CountryData offers political, economic, financial, and social data for over 140 countries, in most cases back to 1984. CountryData is also the only source for current and historical risk ratings developed from the International Country Risk Guide and Political Risk Services rating systems conducted by PRS Group. Note: the tabs International Country Risk Guide (ICRG) and Political Risk Services (PRS) provide access to information regarding methodology, but do not provide access to the actual products. Access to the CountryData and the Political Risk Yearbook are available through the University Libraries A-Z list.
Full-text book and serial publications from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
Full-text books and serial publications from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Also includes research reports and policy papers as well as briefs. For statistics and data explore the OECD Data Explorer found in the library databases.
commodity trade data for all available countries and areas since 1962
Comtrade provides detailed import and export statistics in goods and services reported by statistical authorities of close to 200 countries/areas since 1962.
To get access you will need to register with your Penn State access ID email (only an example: abc12@psu.edu). You can also register for unlimited batch, bulk, and API downloads. Getting access to API downloads requires a second registration for an access key. More information can be found in the UN Comtrade user guide.
data from surveys of public opinion back to the 1930s
Covers eighty years of national public opinion polling from health-related U.S. survey questions. Searchable questions and results, demographic crosstabs, and trends are available on every topic related to health, from social determinants and influences on health to insurance, costs and health-care utilization.
US nationwide public opinion data from academic, commercial and media survey organizations
The Roper Center for Public Opinion Research is one of the world's leading archives of social science data, specializing in data from surveys of public opinion back to the 1930s. A comprehensive source for US nationwide public opinion data from academic, commercial, and media survey organizations.
Monitors political, social and economic transformations in the countries of post-communist Europe and post-Soviet Eurasia in the opinion of their populations.
annual public opinion survey that involves interviews in 18 Latin American countries,
An annual public opinion survey that involves interviews in 18 Latin American countries, representing more than 400 million inhabitants. Topics covered include: Economy and International Trade; Integration and Trade Agreements; Political Democracy and Social and Political Institutions; Distribution of Wealth; Civic Culture; Social Capital and Participation; Environment; Gender and Discrimination; Current Topics
Examines a wide range of political attitudes about candidates, issues and the traits Americans want in a president. You must apply for access to the data sets.
- Access to tables and graphs showing national or comparative survey results for selected countries to the waves of the World Values Survey, conducted 1981-2015
Political data
In addition to the more general data sources above, there are some data sets that focus primarily on topic such as politics, political institutions, and conflict. Here are a few places to start.
Need help finding data, cleaning data, merging data, or citing data sources? Contact the University Libraries Data Discovery and Reuse team. To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit their website.