LibGuides: Finding Data and Statistics: Evaluating and Citing Data and Statistics

Use the questions below to guide you through the data and statistics evaluation process.

Consider whether you can answer this question and track the data or statistics to the original source, the potential biases or conflicting interests of the creator, as well as the purpose of the data or statistics.

Knowing whether you need a large data set to conduct a statistical analysis for a course, data on a specific topic to back-up or refute a hypothesis for an assignment, or statistics to support a larger argument will change the types of data/statistics you are looking for and whether or not what you've found meets your needs.

Consider the methodology or strategies used when the source collected the data or generated the statistics.

It is important to find data or statistics that contain detailed documentation and/or codebooks which describe methodology, variables, etc.
When working with raw data in statistical programs (such as Excel, SPSS, SAS, R, etc.) the documentation and/or codebooks can be the difference between having data that you can use and analyze, and data that cannot be understood.
Depending on your subject area, different terms might be used to describe different concepts, so knowing exactly what the statistics describes will help you make stronger connections to your argument.

For example, consider whether the x and y axes are labeled at an appropriate scale for the data, if the distances between each point on the axis are equal, or if the y-axis starts at zero.

When using data and statistics it is important to provide a citation to acknowledge the creator/producer and to point others to the resource.

Citations for data sets and statistics often include components similar to other types of citations:

Below are resources for citing sources in AMA, APA, Chicago, and MLA. For individual assistance, please contact the NDSU Center for Writers.