Research Guides: Persuasive Writing: ADV 1196: Search for Statistics & Data

Why Use Data?

Data is raw information. Data or data sets are primary sources that are the result of research studies or surveys. Statistics are the collection, organization, interpretation, and analysis of data. Statistics are found in tables, graphs, and charts.

When and Why You Should Use Data:

You need to clarify and put arguments into perspective
You need to identify trends, outliers, and patterns across seemingly disparate topics
You need demographic information about trends in local communities, across states, or at the national level

Remember: Data alone can't make the argument for you. Treat data as evidence that requires interpretation. Data is only as good as the people who create it, the quality of their work, and how well they relay their personal or organizational bias.

Statistics & Data

Need to find hard numbers? Use the following databases to find statistics on a variety of topics across time.

Social Explorer This link opens in a new window
Visually analyze and understand U.S. demographics through the use of interactive maps and data reports.
Statistical Abstract of the United States This link opens in a new window
Contains statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States.
data.census.gov This link opens in a new window
Contains statistical data (population, housing, economy, and more) for specific states and cities.
PolicyMap This link opens in a new window
Create professional-quality thematic maps for demographics, home sale statistics, health data, mortgage trends, school performance scores and labor data like unemployment, crime statistics and city crime rates.
PolicyMap is an online data and mapping application that provides access to over 10,000 indicators related to demographics, housing, income, crime, mortgages, health, jobs, and more. Data is available at many common geographic entities (address, block group, census tract, zip code, county, city, state, metro area) as well as unique geographies such as school districts and political boundaries. Data is accessible in interactive maps, tables, charts, and reports and also may be downloaded.
Some PolicyMap datasets are from free government sources (including U.S. Census data), while other datasets are from proprietary sources, including detailed home sales statistics, school district performance from GreatSchools, locations of grocery stores and non-profit organizations, and Nielsen estimates and projections for demographic indicators.
SimplyAnalytics (formerly SimplyMap) This link opens in a new window
Create professional-quality thematic maps and reports using thousands of demographic, business, and marketing variables, including population, age, race, income, ancestry, marital status, housing, employment, transportation, families, and more.

Public Opinion Surveys & Polls

Need to find public opinion polls? Use the following databases to find polling data on a variety of topics across time.

Roper iPoll This link opens in a new window
Note: Temple users must access the Roper platform by creating an iPoll account using their @temple.edu email. Go to Log In --> select Your Affiliation (Temple University) --> Register or Sign In to Roper iPoll account.
Roper iPoll is provided by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at Cornell University and offers public opinion poll data from 1935 to the present. iPoll contains nearly 800,000 questions and over 23,000 datasets from both U.S. and international polling firms. Surveys cover any number of topics including, social issues, politics, pop culture, international affairs, science, the environment, and much more. When available, results charts, demographic crosstabs and full datasets are provided for immediate download.

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