Library Guides: Public Administration: Statistics and Data

Tools for locating data

Data Planet This link opens in a new window
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.
Data Citation Index This link opens in a new window
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.

Google Dataset Search
Google's search engine for datasets.

ICPSR (Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research) This link opens in a new window
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.

Historical Statistics of the United States This link opens in a new window
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.

Federal Portal to U.S. Data and Statistics
The best links to government data sources
Bureau of Labor Statistics
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.

Congress and Elections

CQ Voting and Elections Collection This link opens in a new window
Expert analysis, demographics, and data of elections-realted information.
Expert analysis, demographics, and data of elections-realted information.
CQ Congress Collection This link opens in a new window
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.

Census Data

Census Data (was American FactFinder)
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.
Census Bureau website
The Census Bureau does much more than the decennial population census. Explore their website for a wide range of data.

International Data and Statistics

A few key resources with international data to get you started.

CountryData Online This link opens in a new window
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.
OECD iLibrary This link opens in a new window
Full-text book and serial publications from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
Full-text book and serial publications from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Also includes many of the data sets available from the organization.

OECD Better Life Index
Measures quality of life in countries around the world over numerous indicators.
World Databank
A wide range of country level data from the World Bank
IMF Data
Economic and financial data from the International Monetary Fund

UN Comtrade This link opens in a new window
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. Unlimited batch, bulk, and API downloads are available.
United Nations Statistical Database This link opens in a new window
global statistical information

IPUMS International
Census microdata from around the world
International Data Base (by U.S. Census Bureau)
Demographic measures for populations around the world.
Eurostat
Main portal for European Union Statistics

Polls and Polling

Health Poll Database This link opens in a new window
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.
Roper iPoll This link opens in a new window
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.

Afrobarometer
National public attitude surveys on democracy and governance in Africa
Arab Barometer
Provides insight into the social, political, and economic attitudes and values of ordinary citizens across the Arab world.
Asian Barometer
You will need to apply for access to most of the data.
Eurasia Barometer
Monitors political, social and economic transformations in the countries of post-communist Europe and post-Soviet Eurasia in the opinion of their populations.
Eurobarometer (by the European Commission)
Web site of the Public Opinion Analysis sector of the European Commission.
European Social Survey
Measures the attitudes, beliefs and behaviour patterns of diverse populations in more than thirty nations.
Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP)
Surveys of public opinion in the Americas.

Latinobarómetro This link opens in a new window
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

Pew Research Center
Non-partisan research center that tracks both domestic and international public opinion
Odum Institute Data Archive
A broad range of public opinion data including the Harris Poll. Particularly good for state level polls.
National Annenberg Election Survey
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.
World Values Survey
- 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.

Integrated Network for Societal Conflict Research (INSCR)
Data from Center for Systemic Peace includes Political Regime Characteristics and Transitions, 1800-2014.
Comparative Agendas Project
Track policy outcomes across countries
SIPRI Databases
Correlates of War Project

University Libraries' Data Learning Center

The University Libraries' Research Services on 2nd Floor Paterno offers support to faculty, staff, and students working with data through its Data Learning Center.
Support includes:

Assistance locating data
assistance in using statistical software for data analysis
advice on research design, data collection, and data manipulation
advice on statistical methodology
assistance in using spatial software for data analysis
advice on spatial research methodology

Make an appointment for a consultation:

Statistical Consultant Booking Site
Send an email to directly to the Data Learning Center datalearning@psu.edu

Penn State University Libraries

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