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Where to Find Data: Search Tips
Amanda on Mona edited this page Oct 29, 2018
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- Google it. That's never a bad place to start and it only takes a second. With advance searches you can limit your search by file type or URL.
- Figure out who should have the data? Who might have it? Is this information only the NYPD or the IRS can collect? The Departments of City Planning, Buildings, Housing, Finance and Taxation all keep tabs on who owns property in New York City, where that property is located and what it can be used for. If you know who ought to have the numbers you're looking for, you can start your search by asking them.
- Look at recent reporting about the subject. Who has been releasing reports? Who has been cited in stories? Go ask them for data, or ask them for help finding it.
- Wikipedia is a fantastic resource. Don't be afraid of it. Most information there comes with a citation -- don't take some Wikipedia author's word for it, but do look at the source they cited and confirm that the numbers are there.
- Look for think tanks and aid organizations that specialize in the issue you're interested in.
- Ask a librarian
Not really data sources but this is a nice round up from Sisi Wei: