Skip to Main Content

Empirical Research: Social Science Statistics

This guide will provide resources for empirical legal research including information on data sets and statistical packages.

General Materials

Data:

  • IPUMS-I: publically available individual-level census data taken from samples of censuses from around the world since 1960.
  • IPUMS-USA: samples of the American population drawn from 15 censuses (1850-2000) and the American Community Surveys of 2000-2009.  Samples yield information on long-term changes in the American population.
  • IPUM-CPS: an integrated set of data of the March Current Population Survey.  It includes data from 1962-2019.
  • North Atlantic Population Project: a database containing census data from the UK, US, Canada, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.  The data is from censuses taken from 1850 to 1910 and support some cross-temporal analysis.

Journals:

  • Social Indicators Research: publishes research dealing with the measurement of quality of life. Includes all levels such as individual, organizational, municipal, national, regional and international.  This journal is available through Fordham University Library.

History

Datasets:

  • IPUMS-USA: samples of the American population drawn from 15 censuses (1850-2000) and the American Community Surveys of 2000-2009.  Samples yield information on long-term changes in the American population.
  • IPUM-CPS: an integrated set of data of the March Current Population Survey.  It includes data from 1962-2019.
  • North Atlantic Population Project: a database containing census data from the UK, US, Canada, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.  The data is from censuses taken from 1850 to 1910 and support some cross-temporal analysis.

Books & Journals:

  • Carter, Susan B. (ed.). Historical Statistics of the United States, earliest times to the present. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006. HA202 .H57 2006 (at Reference) 
  • Historical Methods: publishes articles on statistical methodology, data collection and sampling procedures.  This journal is available through Fordham University Library.

Back to Top

Politics

  •  Datasets from Keith Poole, professor at University of Georgia: data on voting behavior in various congresses.
  • University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers: this survey includes data on how consumers view prospects for their own financial situation, how they view prospects for the general economy over the near term,
    and their view of prospects for the economy over the long term.
  • The American Presidency Project: includes data on the President's relationship with Congress, popularity, public appearances and the growth of the Executive Branch.

Back to Top

Sociology

  • Vital Statistics Data available online: through the Center for Disease Control.  This site has downloadable data sets for manipulation.
  • The University of Michigan's Panel Study of Income Dynamics: this is a longitudinal study of 9000 families, collecting data on health, economics and social behavior.
  • The University of Michigan's study, Monitoring the Future: an ongoing study of the behaviors, attitudes, and values of American secondary school students, college students, and young adults.
  • American Community Survey: produced by the US Census Bureau, this survey provides ongoing data to assist communities in planning for development.  Data is gathered on topics include age, sex, income, health insurance, veteran status and disabilities. Data is available online from 2001 to 2010.
  • ATUS-X: helps researchers access information obtained through the American Time Use Survey.  The American Time Use Survey is a time diary study that collects information on how much time people spend on certain types of activities.

Back to Top

Education

Back to Top