Datasets & Statistical Sources

Citing Data and Statistics

Accurately citing data sources is essential because it allows for transparency, credibility, and reproducibility in research and information dissemination. By citing data sources, researchers and authors give credit to the original creators, acknowledging their contributions. It also enables readers to verify the information, evaluate the reliability of the data, and locate the sources for further exploration. Proper citation of data sources promotes academic integrity and ensures that future studies can build upon and replicate previous findings. Additionally, accurate citations facilitate the ethical use of data, respecting intellectual property rights and avoiding plagiarism.

It is important to cite not only the literature consulted but also the data or statistics used. The elements of a data/statistics citation include:

• Author(s)/Creator
• Title
• Year of publication: The date when the statistics/dataset was published or released (rather than the collection or coverage date)
• Publisher: the data center/repository
• Any applicable identifier (including edition or version)
• Availability and access: URL or other location information for the data/statistics

For more information, please visit our Citation Help LibGuide here: