This library guide discusses the difference between statistics and data and provides valuable campus resources for data assistance. Most importantly, this guide provides a conclusive list of resources for finding data for the world, data for the United States, and data for Illinois. These resources include free online websites and downloadable data in addition to subscription-based University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign databases.
The words "data" and "statistics" are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation. However, when trying to locate information, the difference between data and statistics is crucial. Simply put, data is raw information of which statistics are generated. Whereas statistics provides an interpretation, summary, and mathematical expression of data.
For more information about statistics and U.S. government information, please visit the Government Information Services Statistics and Numeric Data page.
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