Research Guides: How Statistics and Data Can Misinform: Sources of Statistical Information

CSM Library databases of statistical information

RAND California This link opens in a new window
Statistical information on California. Includes population & demographics; health & health care; business & economics; crimes, prisons, & courts; labor force, employment & earnings; energy; environment, resources & weather; K-12 & higher education; income, expenditure, wealth, & poverty; social insurance & human services; transportation & travel; and federal, state, & local government information.

International Data and Statistics

Our World in Data This link opens in a new window
Our World in Data is an online publication that shows how living conditions are changing. It covers a wide range of topics across many academic disciplines: health, food provision, incomes, violence, rights, wars, culture, energy use, education, and environmental changes.

World Bank Data & Statistics
UN (United Nations) Statistics Division
EuroStat
Eurostat is the Statistical Office of the European Communities. Its task is to provide the European Union with statistics at European level that enable comparisons between countries and regions.
OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Statistics Portal
Gender Data Portal
From the World Bank. Covers demography, education, health, economic opportunities, public life and decision-making, and agency. The database is updated four times a year (April, July, September, and December).
IMF (International Monetary Fund) Data
ILO Flagship Reports
The International Institute for Labour Studies, the research arm of the ILO (International Labour Organization), publishes reports on employment, wages and social protection.

U.S. Government Data - Federal (examples)

Google your keywords; use Google advanced search or add the following "site:gov" to your search to limit it to government sites only.

Data.gov
The home of the U.S. Government’s open data
Here you will find data, tools, and resources to conduct research, develop web and mobile applications, design data visualizations, and more.

U.S. Census Bureau This link opens in a new window
In addition to the population census, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts numerous surveys collecting volumes of statistics about Americans.
data.census.gov This link opens in a new window
data.census.gov is the new platform to access demographic and economic data from the U.S. Census Bureau. You can find economic, demographic or housing information about your city, county, state - or the entire United States.
Bureau of Justice Statistics This link opens in a new window
Bureau of Justice collects, analyzes, publishes, and disseminates information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government.

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Information on a range of educational issues, from early childhood to adult learning.
CDC - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC data and statistics portal
BEA: National Economic Accounts

Polls, Public Opinion, Trends

The Pew Research Center
The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does not take positions on policy issues.
Gallup
Roper Center
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
NORC
NORC is National Opinion Research Center at University of Chicago.
Ipsos (US)
Global market research company (since 1975).

Fact Checking Websites

Do not forget to check the "About" sections of these websites...

California - State and Local Government Data (examples)

Google your keywords - including "California" or "San Mateo"; use Google advanced search or add the following "site:gov" to your search to limit it to government sites only.

California State Web Portal
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
The Association of Bay Area Governments is responsible for making long-term forecasts or population, housing, and employment for the nine-county Bay Area. These forecasts assist local governments in planning for our changing environment. ABAG produces updated forecasts every 2 years and publishes them as Projections.
Silicon Valley Index (Bay area)
This publication is released by Joint Venture and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation every February. The indicators measure the strength of Bay area economy.
California Economic Indicators
Data.NY.gov
Access to the State of New York data we wish the State of California offered....