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Loyola University Chicago Libraries

Statistics

This Library Guide explores essential resources to help you get started with statistics research.

Getting Started

This page offers you some useful guiding questions to help you get started as you assess what you hope to get out of your research.

Remember to define your topic with enough flexibility to adapt to available data!
Data is not available for every thinkable topic. Some data is private, must be purchased, uncollected, or unavailable. Be prepared to try alternative data.

What is the difference between data and statistics?

  • Data is the raw information from which statistics are created.
  • Statistics provide an interpretation and summary of data.

Data

  • Datasets, machine-readable data files, data files for statistical software programs

If you want to understand a phenomenon, you want data. Data is used to create new information and knowledge.

Raw data is the direct result of research that was conducted as part of a study or survey. It is a primary source. It usually comes in the form of a digital data set that can be analyzed using software such as Excel, SPSS, SAS, and so on.

This is what a data set looks like:

A data set with a y-column lists one to fifteen and an x-column labelled year, id, wrkstat, hrs1, hrs2, evwork, and occtime. The data set is filled in with the responding figures.

Statistics

  • Statistical tables, charts, and graphs
  • Reported numbers and percentages in an article

Data can be analyzed and interpreted using statistical procedures to answer “why” or “how.” A statistic repeats a pre-defined observation about reality.

Statistics usually come in the form of a table or chart. This is what a statistical table looks like:

A chart of the top 25 United States domestic airline markets organized by average daily passengers in 2-14

Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States

Where are you looking? Who is collecting and publishing the data?

  • Government Agencies
    • The government collects data to aid in policy decisions and is the largest producer of statistics overall.
    • For example, the U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Election Commission, Federal Highway Administration and many other agencies collect and publish data. 
  • Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)
    • Many independent non-commercial and nonprofit organizations collect and publish statistics that support their social platform.
    • For example, the International Monetary Fund, United Nations, World Health Organization, and many others collect and publish statistics.
  • Academic Institutions
    • Academic research projects funded by public and private foundations create a wealth of data.
    • For example, the Michigan State of the State Survey publish statistics based on their data collection projects. Some statistical publications are available freely online, but others may require access through library resources.
  • Private Sector
    • Commercial firms collect and publish data and statistics as a paid service to clients or to sell broadly.
    • For example, marketing firms, pollsters, trade organizations, and business information. This information is almost always fee-based and unavailable for public release. The library does subscribe to some commercial data services, particularly through the business library