Education

Why Use Statistics?

What can statistics do for you?

• Strengthen your argument.
• Provide objective information so you can debate arguments.
• Put an argument into context.

Things you need to consider:

• Statistics alone cannot make the argument for you.
• Statistics have to be interpreted and applied to the point you are making.
• Treat statistics as evidence that requires interpretation.

Searching for Statistics 

Tips for finding statistics:

1. ​Statistics can be buried within the text of a journal, magazine, or newspaper. Follow leads within the articles, especially the references, to locate other statistics.
2. Look in books and articles at graphs, charts, and diagrams to find statistical information.
3. When searching databases, combine your topic search with a subject for statistics.

Keywords to add to topic search(es):

1. Subject search terms: Statistics; data; numbers; trends; polling; figures; tables
2. Search examples: "Immigration AND Statistics", "Global Warming AND Trends", "Population Control AND Data"

Including statistics in your writing:

Evaluating Statistics

Consider the following elements when evaluating statistics by asking yourselves these questions.

• Authority -- Who is the author? What are their qualifications?
• Date -- Is your data intended to be historical or current? Search accordingly.
• Purpose -- Who is the intended audience? Is the data clearly represented?
• Content -- Is the data accurate? How can it be verified? Is bias apparent?
• Coverage -- What is the sample size of the study?
• Presentation -- Has the data been republished by a secondary/private entity? Ex: Government data repackaged for brevity.
• Data Source -- If the data is from a secondary source, is it properly documented so one can find the primary source?

Find Education Statistics

Statistics about Texas

Statistics about the United States