About Statistics

Why include statistics?
Depending upon the type of paper you are writing, statistics may add significance, importance, and/or interest. Relevant statistics may support the reason why you chose the topic or indicate to the reader why they should read your paper.

Where to look?
To find statistics search all types of resources: government sites, organization and associations sites, databases, health and sport databases and sites. Many of the suggested websites listed in the boxes below are professor recommendations.

TIP: Watch for references to primary sources as you review articles in databases and on the Web.

ORU Databases - General and Subject Specific
Use the subject index or thesaurus to browse your topic, find related terms and identify terms to narrow and/or expand your topic. Try searching with percent, data, statistic*, etc.

ORU Journals - Specific Titles or Subject Related
Go to the Journals List and type a subject or keyword to get a list of journals. Select a journal title. Search your topic within a journal. Or, browse the journal table of contents for reports, surveys and research project.

What to search?
Consider your thesis, identify the key words and concepts, and add search terms that identify statistical data, such as percent, data or statistic.

To Locate Authoritative Websites and Government Statistics

Search for and restrict results to government and association or organization fact sheets, which usually include statistics and often reference primary sources, such as original research or studies.
Limit to domain.gov for government sites or add the terms association or organization to your search, as shown in the examples below.

searching statistics chart

Suggested Publications and Websites for Statistics

Government Publication and Websites
Search suggestion: your concept(s) and site:.gov

ORU Reference Publication and Database

opens new windowCQ Researcher
opens new windowStatistical Abstract of the U.S. (ProQuest)- Print copy, Call #HA202.S72

SR. PAPER STUDENTS

Are there date restrictions or requirements for your sources? If yes, specify or limit the dates when you search. For example, when searching the Web include the dates in your search query, such as (2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021). Most databases and the advance search in search engines allow you to limit to specific dates.