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ICPSR - Social Research Data: Step 3 - Evaluate Dataset

How to find and use data from ICPSR

Evaluate Dataset

Evaluate Dataset


Search Results

  • The Title in the search results indicates the subject of the data
  • The ICPSR Number follows the Title. The ICPSR Number is a unique identifier for that dataset. You can return to a study by using that number in a search or the url

Note: some studies are part of a Series. Links to that series of reports are located below the Author / Principal Investigators

Evaluate a Study

  • Summary tab provides an overview of the data collected, including methodology, time period, geography, and more. Consider if the dataset provides the information you need to address your research question
    • Subject Terms provide additional Thesaurus terms affiliated with the data
    • Citation is included, written in text, RIS and EndNote formats to download into citation management software
    • Scope of Project includes technical details of data collection
    • Methodology includes information useful for evaluating relevance of data: Study Purpose, Sample, Population
  • Variables tab: reviewing the variables collected may provide information on the relevance of dataset to your research
    • Note: if variable names and descriptions are cryptic, use the Codebook in Data & Documentation tab to learn more information
  • Data-related Publications tab lists articles that cited the study's data. Reviewing related publications may reveal relevant datasets, and will show how researchers used the data