Research Guides: Data & Statistics: Getting Started

Welcome & Quick Links

Welcome to the Data & Statistics Research Guide!

This guide is meant to provide you with starting points for finding microdata, aggregate data, data analysis tools and more.

Need some help? As your Data Librarian, I am available to help answer any data, library or research-related questions you may have. Feel free to schedule an appointment with me using the 'Schedule Appointment' button under my photo.

Statistics Canada
Collects important data about Canadian society including the National Census, the General Social Survey, and the Canadian Community Health Survey, among others.
'The Daily'
The Daily is Statistics Canada's official release bulletin, the Agency's first line of communication with the media and the public. The Daily issues news releases on current social and economic conditions and announces new products. It provides a comprehensive overview of new information available from Statistics Canada.

News & Training

*NEW DATA BY TOPIC*: Systemic Racism & Police Brutality
Click to view new topic(s) added to the 'Data by Topic' tab on this guide.
Webinar (Recording): Writing an article with excellent supporting data
When: June 22nd, 9:00-10:00 CDT

Science requires evidence behind an assertion. As William Deming said, “without data, you’re just another person with an opinion.” So the argument in a research article must have some sort of evidence, i.e. data, behind it. But does the data support the article or does the article support the data? Both actually. It is the responsibility of the researcher to provide a package of evidence and argument in order to advance our understanding.

This presentation will introduce ways to interconnect your article and data in ways that make them most readily understood and useful by others. Topics include how to prepare data for presentation, how to ensure the data are well stewarded, and how to provide fair credit and access to data through citation. It will also touch briefly on other research outputs like software and protocols.
Webinar (Recording): Statistics Canada Research Data Centre (RDC) Alternatives
This webinar will be of particular interest to graduate students and faculty - please share widely within your institutions!

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Recent physical distancing protocols pertaining to the COVID-19 Pandemic have meant that RDC researchers need to find alternative ways of carrying out their research. This webinar will be of interest to graduate students, librarians, faculty and researchers. The Real Time Remote Access (RTRA) program offers one alternative way to access confidential Statistics Canada data. Other options include using the Statistics Canada public use files and analyzing data from other sources.

The presenters will discuss the differences between the data that can be accessed through the RTRA vs. the RDC. RTRA data is a very useful option for some types of questions but also has some important limitations. In addition, they will highlight alternative sources of data from the U.S. and elsewhere that are similar to the Statistics Canada master datasets. These may be particularly useful for graduate students who may not be able to wait for the RDC to re-open but who need to conduct analyses that are more sophisticated than what the RTRA or public use files will permit.

Data & Statistics

Your Librarian

Welcome & Quick Links

New & Noteworthy