LibGuides: Soc 211: Introduction to Sociology: Data Sources

Data

When conducting research, sociologists often draw upon data from a variety of sources on different subjects: economy, demography, health, education, crime, culture, environment, etc. This data is often gathered and made available by government agencies and researchers. When the data are available electronically for analysis, they are typically called "data sets." Sociologists may explore, analyze, and illuminate this data in new ways for different purposes.

Social Explorer This link opens in a new window
Easy access to demographic information about the United States, from 1790 to present.
Data.census.gov This link opens in a new window
Replaces the decommissioned American FactFinder. Interactive data and mapping from the U.S. Census Bureau. Includes population, housing, and other social and economic data from the decennial census of population and housing, the economic census, and from annual surveys and estimates programs.
ICPSR (Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research) This link opens in a new window
Data archive for social scientists. Reed community members may download data and documentation.

General Social Survey (GSS)
The GSS contains a standard 'core' of demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal questions, plus topics of special interest. Many of the core questions have remained unchanged since 1972 to facilitate time-trend studies as well as replication of earlier findings. The GSS takes the pulse of America, and is a unique and valuable resource. It has tracked the opinions of Americans over the last four decades.