Data and Statistics
Data Management Consultants
Data Requests via the Data Fund
The Data Fund provides JHU researchers the opportunity to make requests for known datasets that are not readily accessible via the library data subscriptions. Each year, the library is able to provide a small amount of funding to a select number of researchers to facilitate their use of secondary data. This data will then be available for one year. Longer periods of access are not typically funded; however, the library may consider renewals on a case-by-case basis, depending on expressed need, available funding, and broader interest by the university.
If you have a specific need for secondary proprietary data without security or access restrictions that cannot be obtained by other means please submit a request using the form below for consideration.
Data Fund Purchase Request Form
Please note that submission of the form is not a guarantee of funding. Applicants will receive communication from the data and statistics consultant who will work with the researcher and the academic liaisons within the researcher's discipline to discuss the next steps for the potential use of Data Fund resources to gain access to secondary data. (Undergraduate researchers must have the endorsement of a faculty member to apply. While funds may be made available for undergraduate research projects in special circumstances, the fund's primary mission is to fund data for faculty and graduate student research.)
Ask a Data Services Specialist a Question
Overview
Datasets & Statistics - What's the Difference?
The following is an example of a data set as it appears in a statistical software program. It is presented with all available variables in one file. The user can manipulate, aggregate and create descriptive statistics as needed.
Below is a visualization of the data set as statistics (percent of families receiving Temporary Cash Assistance [TANF] by neighborhood). Statistics are presented in an aggregate form already. This could be a table of frequencies, means, rates, charts or graphs. Statistics are information based on previously collected and analyzed data on which conclusions are drawn.
Which should I use?
When you want to strengthen a point for a presentation or paper, you would typically use available statistics or you might create your own (there are many table building tools available). If you're planning to test a hypothesis, develop a comprehensive marketing strategy, assess the effect of a particular treatment - or anything that would require in-depth analysis - then you need a dataset. Make sure that if you are using existing data or statistics (content that you didn't personally collect or analyze), that you check the authenticity of your sources and that you cite them according to proper conventions for your area of study.
About this guide
This guide is designed to help you find both statistics and datasets. Some of the resources provided are limited to the Johns Hopkins domain and will require you to log in with your JHED ID and password in order to use them. However, many data sources that are available from government agencies, think tanks, non-profits, etc. are open access. This guide is not exhaustive, but designed to provide you with a solid starting point on possible sources. If you are not finding what you are looking for, please email me for assistance (see the box on the left).
Access to Content
If you are on the Johns Hopkins "guest" wireless networks (on both Homewood and JHMI campuses) you will NOT always be able to view full content of subscribed databases unless you use the Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Core Resources
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Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social ResearchICPSR has one of the largest archives of secondary research datasets in the world. Johns Hopkins is a member of ICPSR, and the archive's contents are searchable and accessible to the Johns Hopkins community online.
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Social ExplorerCreate custom tables and maps from the first Census to the latest Census, the American Community Survey, and the Religious Congregations and Membership Study. Social Explorer is one of the best sources for access to Census data because of its easy to use interface and download capabilities that allow for more sophisticated analysis.
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SimplyAnalyticsDesigned to be mastered in minutes, SimplyAnalytics is accessible to everyone. You can create professional thematic maps and reports using extensive demographic, business, and marketing data. Previously SimplyMap. Create an account for free.
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Roper Center for Public Opinion ResearchPerhaps the best source for public opinion data, our membership with the Roper Center allows you to search for and download full datasets and access to the iPOLL database, where you can search for individual questions from opinion polls.
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Sage StatsComprehensive data coverage of each state including health care, crime, education and more. You'll find reliable data from more than 80 different sources covering more than 15 years. When you find data you're interested in, explore it using the mapping and graphing tools, compare it with other data sets, or export it to Excel.
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Statistical Datasets from Data-Planet/ConquestCreate customized tables and graphs using numeric data from a multitude of sources such as the Census Bureau, the Department of the Treasury, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the World Bank and China Data Center Online.
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Data Citation Index - Web of ScienceDiscover research datasets across a wide range of disciplines within the social sciences, sciences and humanities. None of the data is housed within the index, but links to data repositories are provided. Results are returned at the individual dataset with links to the data study. Like the rest of the Web of Science citation databases, you will be able to track dataset and data study citations within research literature.
Related Guides
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Business Research GuideThis is the Business Research Guide maintained by Heather Tapager and Alan Zuckerman, our Business Research Services Librarians. See this site to find out competitive intelligence resources and industry statistics.
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GIS and Maps Research GuideVisit this page to find out how to obtain ArcGIS software, receive ArcGIS training, and find geospatial data.
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SAIS Statistics Sources Resource GuideThis guide from the JHU School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) provides links to both national and international statistical resources (heavier focus on international). This is a good place to start if you want access to international financial statistics.