SOCW 364

Searching for community level information is always a test in patience, skill, and evaluation.  Remember to use basic evaluation skills when reading over your search results:

•     Where did this information originate? 
•     Is this a credible website? 
•     Is this website appropriate for my research needs?" 

Other things to consider when searching for state/county/school district data:

• Start with the local town/city websites.  If they are designated 'neighborhoods' see if there are community or neighborhood groups or associations.   Always look at the official county websites as well.  They may provide links to other data sources or resources (aka: public library system) .  When looking at your state's official website -- keywords such as  "data"  "portal" "data dashboard" "open records" may point you in the right direction.
• Are you needing Data?  Statistics?  Demographics?   (Each of those terms can be used and get different results)

What search terms will give you what you are looking for without getting results you do not need?

Do you need Statistics or Data Sets?

What's the difference? 

• A data set is a collection of raw data, meaning that it has been gathered, but not analyzed. Data sets are usually provided as a spreadsheet, with each column listing a variable of the research conducted and each row consisting of the information provided by each research subject.
   
• Statistics, on the other hand, consist of the findings that result from the analysis of data.