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Research/Writing/Citation Styles Guide

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Datasets & Statistics - What's the Difference? 

The difference is that datasets are presented to you in full - all available variables - for you to manipulate and aggregate as needed.  Statistics are typically presented in aggregate form already in the form of a table, chart or graph.

When would you use one over the other?

When you want quick facts for a presentation or paper (typically used to strengthen a point), you would use prepared statistics.  Just make sure you cite them properly.  If you're planning to test a hypothesis, develop a comprehensive marketing strategy, assess the effect of a particular treatment - essentially anything that would require true analyses - then you need a dataset.

Primary versus Secondary Data

When you collect data for your own research, this is considered primary data collection. When you use a dataset that has been collected by somone else, you are using what is considered secondary data. 

Responsible Conduct of Research W/R/T Data Collection and Use

See the Georgia Tech Responsible Conduct of Research page.

Thanks to Jen Darragh of Johns Hopkins for permission to adapt her excellent content.

Please remember that whether you use a numeric dataset or a prepared statistical table from an existing source (e.g. Statistical Abstract of the United States) that you do need to cite the source of your information.  Depending on the citation style you're required to use for your work it could look like any of the following:

United States Census Bureau. (2000). Census 2000 summary file 3: Maryland raw data.  Retrieved 6/5/2010 from http://www2.census.gov/census_2000/datasets/Summary_File_3/Maryland/.

Pew Internet and American Life Project. (2010).  Demographics of internet users.  Retrieved 6/5/2010 from http://www.pewinternet.org/Trend-Data/Whos-Online.aspx.

Some data sources such as ICPSR provide you with citation information (ICPSR places theirs specifically in the full bibliographic record view). 

Not sure how to cite?  Please ask Your Librarian (see the box on the right).

Thanks to Jen Darragh of Johns Hopkins for permission to adapt her excellent content.