What type of of information can I find in data and statistics?
Data is a collection of facts, such as numbers, words, measurements, or observations. Statistics collect, analyze, interpret and present data. Statistics can help you provide numerical evidence to support your claims.
Using Criminal Justice Statistics
There are 3 primary methods used to measure and collect statistics on the nature and extent of crime. Each has its benefits and limitations:
- Official data derive from crimes known to have occurred that are recorded by law enforcement agencies. The FBI Uniform Crime Reports is an example of this type of data.
- Victim data derive from surveys which ask people about their experience with crime. This type of data is useful for understanding unreported crimes that do not appear in official data sources. The BJS National Crime Victimization Survey is the most important source for this data.
- Self-report data attempt to assess the true extent of various crime patterns by measuring such things as a person's attitudes, values, personal characteristics or behaviors. The Monitoring the Future Survey is an example of data gathered to understand drug use among juveniles.
Criminal Justice Statistics
- FBI Uniform Crime ReportsThe UCR Program was conceived in 1929 by the International Association of Chiefs of Police to meet a need for reliable, uniform crime statistics for the nation. In 1930, the FBI was tasked with collecting, publishing, and archiving those statistics from over 17,000 law enforcement agencies around the U.S.
- Crime in Texas ReportsTexas Crime Reports from the Texas Department of Public Safety going back to 1999.
- Bureau of Justice StatisticsWith a mission to collect, analyze, publish, and disseminate information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, prisons, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government, the B of J provides data to federal, state, and local policymakers. Provides users with the software to create and customize tables
- United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research InstituteA UN entity mandated to assist intergovernmental, governmental, and non-governmental organizations in formulating and implementing improved policies in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. Topics include both human and drug traffiking, environmental and cyber-crime, and cultural heritage
General Data and Statistics
- Statista This link opens in a new windowStatista provides access to statistics and studies gathered by market researchers, trade organizations, scientific publications, and government sources on more than 600 industries. In addition to tables and charts, Statista also provides infographics and studies on selected industries and topics. Statista
Note: Remote access is restricted to UHV users. - State Statistics This link opens in a new windowRand Texas, a service of the nation’s leading think tank, is a portfolio of statistics on Texas and other states drawn from over 270 statistical databases in 14 categories: Population & Demographics; Health & Health Care; Business & Economics; Crimes, Prisons & Courts; Labor Force, Employment & Earnings; Energy; Environment, Resources & Weather; K-12 Education;Higher Education; Income, Expenditure, Wealth & Poverty; Social Insurance & Human Services; Transportation & Travel; Federal Government; State & Local Government. The Library's subscription includes U.S. and Texas statistics. Rand Corporation
- Pew Research CenterPew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. You can search by keyword or browse by topic.
- GallupContains a wealth of information for researchers on opinion polls and trends. Special features include a guest scholar poll review each month, an informational FAQ section that explains the Gallup poll's history and techniques, and special historical reports
- Explore Census DataFind population, housing, economic, and geographic data. Starting in July, data.census.gov will be the primary way to access Census Bureau data, including upcoming releases from the 2018 American Community Survey, 2017 Economic Census, 2020 Census and more. After July 1, 2019, all new data (previously released on American FactFinder) will be released on this new data platform.