Using Data and Statistics at Grinnell

Finding Data and Statistics

Here are some major sources for data and statistics accessible through the Grinnell College Libraries and the web. Also, try the Libraries' pages on finding statistics by topic or geographic area. If you aren't finding what you need, or are having trouble accessing data, contact Katie Dunn, Reference and Instruction Librarian.

World Development Indicators (more information) World Bank produces this database of 40 years of time series data for more than 200 countries.

Historical Statistics of the United States (more information) Standard source for the quantitative facts of American history, colonial times to the present.

ICPSR (more information) An enormous repository of datasets in the social sciences - most require analysis with statistical software.

International Financial Statistics (more information) Published by the International Monetary Fund, IFS is a standard source of international statistics on all aspects of international and domestic finance.

Global Development Finance (more information) Contains time-series indicators complete for 1970 through 2 years in the past and for 1970-8 years in the future for "pipeline data". World Debt, loans, etc.

Government finance statistics (more information) Contains the economic time series appearing in the Government finance statistics yearbook (GFSY) publication, 1972-current.

Polling the Nations (more information) Compiles surveys conducted by hundreds of polling organizations in the United States and more than 80 other countries.

STAT-USA (more information) Provides access to domestic and international business, economic, and trade information; statistics, market research reports, trade issues, and data related to the global economy. See a librarian for a username and password.

American Factfinder (more information) Access information from the U.S. Census department, including population, housing, economic, and geographic data.

Help with Data and Statistics

Katie Dunn (Reference and Instruction Librarian) assists students and faculty with locating sources of data and statistics. She also receives requests for acquisition/purchase of statistical and data products, and can offer advice on and help with the archiving of datasets created at Grinnell.

Fred Hagemeister (Curricular Technology Specialist) assists faculty with the software aspects of integrating statistics into their teaching and consults on pedagogical uses of data, and also can perform some formatting of data for analysis.

Shonda Kuiper (Assistant Professor, Mathematics & Statistics) offers statistical consulting for faculty research projects, as well as for advanced student projects such as MAPs and senior projects. Professor Kuiper offers help with experimental design, data analysis, and selection of appropriate statistical techniques and tools. Students wishing to consult with Professor Kuiper should have their professor contact her.

Math Lab: For students who have basic questions on statistics, especially related to introductory statistics courses.

Software for Statistical & Data Analysis

Several different statistical analysis packages are available on campus. Contact the Helpdesk (helpdesk@grinnell.edu, ext. 4400) for information on where on campus each is installed.

• Minitab - Students in introductory statistics classes can seek help with Minitab in the Math Lab.
• SAS
• SPSS
• ArcGIS (for analysis of spatial data). See the GIS@Grinnell page for more information on spatial analysis.

Students should see their professors for help with statistical software being used for class assignments or projects.

For more information, talk to: