Library Research: Starting Strong

Statistics are useful in many ways; in addition to enhancing one's understanding of a subject, they can provide persuasive evidence for a point of view. You can find statistics on just about any topic, but it helps to first ask yourself some key questions about the data you're seeking:

• What group or organization would be producing such statistics?
• Why would they need the data, and how would they acquire it?
• Would they have the means and incentive to publish it?
• Would they be required to report to information to a government agency (which one)?

In other words, It's helpful to consider where you might reasonably expect to find the data - this can save you hours of fruitless searching.