Education Resources
What are Statistics and Data?
When doing research in education, you may find it helpful to refer to data or statistics to support your arguments or provide you with more context. But what exactly are data and statistics? To start, it's important to note that these terms mean different things and are not meant to be used interchangeably. While data can be considered unique pieces of information that can be analyzed, statistics are often the result of doing that analysis to answer questions of "why" or "how."
To learn more about data and how to find it, check out our Finding Data research guide.
You can also watch the following video learn more about different types of data and how they might be used:
For further assistance, check out:
- Data Management Resources GuideFind information and sources that will help you with the handling of and caring for information generated throughout the research process.
Statistics and Data Set Resources
The following resources offer access to a variety of data sets and statistical information that can be used for education research at the national, state, and local levels. These are just a starting point for finding relevant data and statistics, so be sure to check out the Finding Data research guide for more resources.
National
- Social Explorer This link opens in a new windowA user friendly interface that allows for accessing census data back to the 1800's
- Statista This link opens in a new windowStatista.com consolidates statistical data on over 80,000 topics from more than 22,500 sources and makes it available on four platforms: German, English, French and Spanish.
- National Center for Education StatisticsThis unit of the U.S. Department of Education provides full-text Web access to many of their major statistical reports on education in the United States.
- NCES Data ModulesHaving trouble finding the data on NCES? This page will link you to the most common data modules available from NCES
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemIPEDS is a really rich national data set on higher education, including graduation rates from different programs or different subgroups, and more!
- Digest of Education StatisticsFrom website: A series of publications initiated in 1962, the Digest’s primary purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of American education from prekindergarten through graduate school. The Digest contains data on a variety of topics, including the number of schools and colleges, teachers, enrollments, and graduates, in addition to educational attainment, finances, and federal funds for education, libraries, and international comparisons.
- No Significant DifferenceThe book analyzed various studies comparing traditional classroom methods against alternative methods of education (distance, online). The studies on this page are a supplement to the book, and cover studies that were published or discovered after its publication.
- UNESCO Institute for StatisticsEducation is identified as a core theme on this United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization site. Statistics related to Access and Participation, Efficiency, Resources, Literacy and Attainment, and Education System characteristics are available from over 200 countries.
State and Local
- HISD - Research & AccountabilitData and reports from the Houston Independent School District.
- Texas Education Agency - Reports and DataTEA's page for educator data, financial reports, legislative reports, school district data, school performance, and student data.
- Texas Public School ExplorerUsing this site "You can easily navigate through information on demographics, academic performance, college readiness and average teacher salaries for each school or district"
- Texas Higher Education Accountability SystemThe Higher Education Accountability System is used to track performance on critical measures that exemplify higher education institutions' missions. The System is modeled on the state's higher education plan, Closing the Gaps by 2015. Its major focus is on the four Closing the Gaps target areas of participation, success, excellence and research.