Finding Legislation, Data, & Statistics

Data and statistics are terms that are often used interchangeably; however, they actually refer to two very different types of information.

Data is raw information. It is usually presented in large datasets. Researchers and scholars interpret data to draw conclusions and develop statistics.

Statistics are the summary of data, usually presented in percentages, graphs, charts, and tables. Think of them as quick facts or numbers that can easily be picked out of a research paper. They have already been interpreted and analyzed by researchers and scholars.

Before you start your search, consider the following questions:

What's your focus or unit of analysis? 

Are you interested in studying a particular population (i.e., mothers, Native Americans, children under the age of 8)? Are you interested in a specific disease or geographic area? Do you need data from certain years? Thinking about this will clarify the kind of data you're looking for, and also what organizations might collect it.

Are there government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), or nonprofits that are interested in this area?

Government agencies collect an incredible amount of health data every year, and most of them also publish health statistics to inform the public. To see a list of some of the best places to find data and statistics on health, see the Major Sources of Data box on the next tab. Because these agencies and organizations collect data on many different health topics, you may have to explore their websites a bit to find what you are looking for. 

Have other scholars done research on similar topics? Where did they get their data or statistics? 

If you aren't sure what organizations might have the kind of data or statistics you're looking for, you can search the health literature for articles on similar topics. Look in the citations to see where those authors got their data or stats from, and then look up those organizations or sources to see if they have what you need.  

Ready to start searching?

Go to the next tab in this guide, Sources of Data & Statistics, for information on where to find health data and statistics.