About Statistics
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.
To Locate Authoritative Websites & Government Statistics
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.
 SR. PAPER STUDENTS - 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 2017, 2018 and 2019. Most databases and the advanced search in search engines allow you to limit to specific dates. |
Suggested Publications & Websites
Government Publication and Websites
Search suggestion: your concept(s) and site:.gov
- opens new windowAmerican Time Use Survey Charts (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- CDC: opens new windowFact Sheets | opens new windowTraumatic Brain Injury & Concussion| opens new window Injury Prevention & Control
- opens new window Data and Statistics about the United States (USA.gov)
- opens new windowHealthy People 2020 (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)
- opens new windowPhysical Activity Guidelines for Americans (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)
- opens new windowPhysical Activity (Presidents Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition)
- opens new windowSpotlight on Statistics: Sports and Exercise (May 2017, Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Organization and Association Publication and Websites
Search suggestion: your concept and statistic AND (association OR organization)
- opens new windowAmerican Diabetes Association
- opens new windowNational Athletic Trainers' Association
— opens new windowPractice Injury Rate All Years, By Sport PDF
— opens new windowGame Injury Rate All Years, By Sport PDF
— Search results list for opens new window"practice injury rate"
— Search results list for opens new window"game injury rate"
ORU Reference Databases
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
- Statistical Abstract of the United States This link opens in a new window
Suggested Health, Medical, Nutrition and Sports Web Sites