Why include statistics?
Depending upon the type of paper you are writing, statistics may add significance, importance, and/or interest. Relevant statistics may support the reason why you chose the topic or indicate to the reader why they should read your paper.

Where to look?
To find statistics search all types of resources: government sites, organization and associations sites, databases, health and sport databases and sites. Many of the suggested websites listed in the boxes below are professor recommendations.

TIP: Watch for references to primary sources as you review articles in databases and on the Web.

ORU Databases - General and Subject Specific
Use the subject index or thesaurus to browse your topic, find related terms and identify terms to narrow and/or expand your topic. Try searching with percent, data, statistic*, etc.

ORU Journals - Specific Titles or Subject Related
Go to the Journals List and type a subject or keyword to get a list of journals. Select a journal title. Search your topic within a journal. Or, browse the journal table of contents for reports, surveys and research project.

What to search?
Consider your thesis, identify the key words and concepts, and add search terms that identify statistical data, such as percent, data or statistic.

Search for and restrict results to government and association or organization fact sheets, which usually include statistics and often reference primary sources, such as original research or studies.
Limit to domain.gov for government sites or add the terms association or organization to your search, as shown in the examples below.

Are there date restrictions or requirements for your sources? Specify or limit the dates. For example, when searching the Web include the dates in your search query, such as (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023). Most databases and the advanced search in search engines allow you to limit to specific dates.
Example (Google searches):
- opens new windowalzheimer's and fact sheet and site:.gov and 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Government Publication and Websites
Search suggestion: your concept(s) AND site:.gov

• CDC:opens new windowFact Sheets
• opens new window Data and Statistics about the United States (USA.gov)

Organization and Association Publication and Websites
Search suggestion: your concept AND statistic AND (association OR organization)

ORU Reference Databases

Suggested Health, Medical and Nutrition Websites

• opens new windowCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• opens new windowMayo Clinic
• opens new windowNational Institutes of Health (NIH)
• opens new windowNational Library of Medicine (NLM)