Guides: Political Science: Statistics & Data

Statistics & Data

These are some suggested electronic resources for statistics and data. For additional resources, please visit the Statistical Data: Introduction page. If you need help with your research please contact the Political Science Librarian, Brea Henson.

Cross-National Time-Series Data Archive
The Cross-National Time-Series Data Archive is a longitudinal national data series and provides ranges of annual data from 1815 for all countries with many associated variables. General categories include demographic data, social, political and economic topics.
See the complete list of variables here: https://www.cntsdata.com/coverage/.
Countrywatch
Countrywatch provides critical country-specific profiles and intelligence briefing. Dates of Coverage: Current.
IPoll databank
iPoll Databank Contains over half a million of U.S. national public opinion surveys in a variety of topics. Includes questions and answers from over 150 survey organizations. Dates of Coverage: last 70+ years
Political database of the Americas
Political Database of the Americas Contains information about institutions and political processes, national constitutions, branches of government, elections, political constitutional studies, and other subjects related to the strengthening of democracy in the Americas. Dates of Coverage: 1995 - current varies by country
Sage Research Methods
SAGE Research Methods is a research methods tool created to help researchers, faculty and students with their research projects. SAGE Research Methods links over 175,000 pages of SAGE’s renowned book, journal and reference content with truly advanced search and discovery tools. Researchers can explore methods concepts to help them design research projects, understand particular methods or identify a new method, conduct their research, and write up their findings. Since SAGE Research Methods focuses on methodology rather than disciplines, it can be used across the social sciences, health sciences, and more.
Social Explorer
Social Explorer is an online research tool designed to provide quick and easy access to current and historical census data and demographic information.
Statista
Statista aggregates statistical data on international industries from thousands of sources including market researchers, trade organizations, scientific journals, and government databases. Statista provides access to quantitative data on media, business, finance, politics, and other areas of interest.
Statistical Abstract of the United States
Statistical Abstract of the United States, published since 1878, is the authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. Topic areas include population demographics, vital statistics, education, law enforcement, elections, federal/state/local government finances and employment, national security and veterans affairs, social insurance and human services, labor force, poverty and wealth, business enterprise, science and technology, agriculture and natural resources, energy and utilities, construction and housing, manufactures, wholesale and retail trade, transportation, information and communications, banking and finance, arts and recreation, accommodation and food services, foreign commerce and aid, Puerto Rico and the island areas, and international statistics. Dates of Coverage: 1878 (with some data back to 1789)–2012.
Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics
Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics collocates data from over 100 published and unpublished sources about many aspects of criminal justice in the United States. Sources include reports from state and federal agencies, research centers, universities, private companies, and other organizations. The publication covers six broad areas: characteristics of U.S. criminal justice systems public attitudes toward crime the nature and distribution of offenses characteristics and distribution of persons arrested judicial processing of defendants and persons under correctional supervision. Dates of Coverage: Varies by statistical measurement some information dates back to 1940s archival versions of previous editions are available for 1994–2002.
National Center for Health Statistics
National Center for Health Statistics Publications contains health and vital statistics, the publication, Health, United States, and information about where to write for vital records. Many of the statistical tables are available in spreadsheet format. Contains basic health information and current research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dates of Coverage: current

IPUMS International for Census Data
IPUMS International is dedicated to collecting and distributing census microdata from around the world. The project goals are to collect and preserve data and documentation, harmonize data, and disseminate the harmonized data free of charge
World Bank Open Data
ith 189 member countries, staff from more than 170 countries, and offices in over 130 locations, the World Bank Group is a unique global partnership: five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries.
UN Data
OECD.Stat
OECD.Stat includes data and metadata for OECD countries and selected non-member economies.
World Values Survey
The World Values Survey (WVS) is an international research program devoted to the scientific and academic study of social, political, economic, religious and cultural values of people in the world. The project’s goal is to assess which impact values stability or change over time has on the social, political and economic development of countries and societies. The project grew out of the European Values Study and was started in 1981 by its Founder and first President (1981-2013) Professor Ronald Inglehart from the University of Michigan (USA) and his team, and since then has been operating in more than 120 world societies. The main research instrument of the project is a representative comparative social survey which is conducted globally every 5 years. Extensive geographical and thematic scope, free availability of survey data and project findings for broad public turned the WVS into one of the most authoritative and widely-used cross-national surveys in the social sciences. At the moment, WVS is the largest non-commercial cross-national empirical time-series investigation of human beliefs and values ever executed.

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