Crime

If you're looking for national crime statistics, these are some places to start your research. Consider visiting your state or city websites to look for more specific information.

Statistics can help provide concrete examples of a larger trend, give the basis for an important chart or graph, or make theoretical arguments tangible.

There are two main branches of statistics:

• Descriptive--concerns the numerical or quantitative data alone, and can help draw conclusions about a sample, rather than a population.
• Inferential--concerns the conclusions drawn about an entire population which are infered through the results of a random sampling of a population

Be aware of bias in statistics! Numbers can be manipulated, and charts and graphs can be arranged to give a certain impression. Always double-check your facts!

Try resources on the web: 100+ of the Best Free Data Sources For Your Next Project 

Contact your subject specialists or our Statistics Librarian for additional assistance.