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Statistics: Citing data

This guide provides links to the most useful databases and resources for finding statistics and data on a wide range of topics, including: General U.S. data Health Education Economy Population Crime Transportation

Citing your data

Data citation is an invaluable tool of scholarly work. For authors of datasets, it is important that they receive attribution for their work. Citing data also allows readers to locate, access and reuse the data for their own use or for replication.

Data chartWhen citing data, the following components should be used:

  • Author name(s)
  • Title or name of dataset
  • Publication or release date
  • Publisher name (i.e. database, repository)
  • Edition, version, volume, vintage
  • Software used for analysis
  • Access information (URL, unique identifier, access date)

*Always try to provide as much information as possible.

There is no one standard method for citing data. Many of the data repositories, archives, distributors or publishers have provided their own guidelines to assist researchers. 

Image source: "Population Growth and Deforestation Rates by Continent Chart" by Matt Lemon is licensed under CC BY SA 2.0

Citing data

Attribution

This guide was adapted from the Statistics guide created by the faculty librarians at Tacoma Community College.