Need to Know: How to Cite Data
While a lot of attention is paid to finding and using datasets, it is just as critical to attribute the information properly and cite it. Each discipline or publication seems to have its own convention for citing either in reference lists or in text.
Here are some sources that may provide assistance:
Data repositories and scholarly data sites may also provide a preferred citation for a dataset. Here are few that are core in policy sciences:
Different citation styles will also offer guidance on how to cite data:
Help with Data
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LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)An online learning resource that provides thousands of computer-based training videos covering a wide variety of topics. Instructional videos include software, business, management, technology, and creative and technical skills. The on-demand videos are expert-led and can be watched at any time.
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Kahn Academy"Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom."
Guidance from Experts:
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Texas A&M Institute of Data ScienceOffers assistance for data projects through:
- webinars and short courses
- a bootcamp
- bring your own data workshops -
Dept of EconomicsECON has had a tutoring lab in the past, staffed by graduate students who can answer questions related to economic analysis and some software questions.
Search major data repositories
This search box will search the major open access data repositories for datasets with specific search terms:
Google has also launched an engine that will search for datasets by keyword.
Census Data
The US Census is the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy. They collect data through the Decennial Census of Population and Housing, Economic Census, Census of Governments, American Community Survey and other programs.
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Explore Census DataAmerican FactFinder is the primary tool to access data published by the Census Bureau. AFF allows you to access data from many Census Bureau sources: 2000 and 1990 Decennial Censuses, the Economic Censuses and the American Community Survey.
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Census Quick Factsquick and easy access to selected statistics collected by the U.S. Census Bureau through the American Community Survey. Detailed demographic and economic statistics are available every year for the nation's communities and their people.
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Current Population SurveyThe Current Population Survey (CPS), sponsored jointly by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is the primary source of labor force statistics for the population of the United States.
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ProQuest Statistical Abstract of the United StatesThe ProQuest Statistical Abstract of the United States is the authoritative, comprehensive and current summary of statistics on the social, political and economic conditions of the United States.
US Polling and Public Opinion
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Gallup AnalyticsTAMU Only Access Gallup's U.S. Daily tracking and World Poll data to compare residents' responses region by region and nation by nation to questions on topics such as economic conditions, government and business, health and wellbeing, infrastructure, and education.
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Roper Center for Public Opinion Researchthe world's largest archive of survey data, and through its programs of publication, presentation and advanced research, the Roper Center provides access to cross-national data on public opinion and the problems faced by Americans and citizens of other nations.
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Pew Research Center on US Politics and Policypublic opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research from a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world.
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Polling the Nationsprovides public opinion data on many topics across many geographies, searchable by topic, country and polling agencies.
Legislative Data Sources
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ProQuest Congressionalfull-text of more than 211 years worth of detailed information about Congress, including member biographies, committee assignments, voting records, financial data, and the full-text of key regulatory and statutory resources.
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CQ Congress Collectionincludes public policy legislation and analysis, biographical data on members of Congress since 1945, their legislative voting behavior, interest groups, and their interactions in crafting public policy. Includes statistical data of the legislative branch.
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Congressional Roll Calldataset codes every congressional roll call vote from 1947 to 2012 (49,216 votes) using the Policy Agendas Project content coding system.
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Congressional Bills Projectprovides information about more than 400,000 bills introduced in the U.S. Congress, currently 1947-2008, along with extensive information about each bill's progress and sponsor.
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Congressional Apportionment Data (Census)The Constitutional basis for conducting the decennial census is to reapportion the U.S. House of Representatives. Apportionment is the process of dividing the 435 memberships, or seats, in the U.S. House of Representatives among the 50 states.