To begin a project involving data analysis, you will first need to search for a dataset to answer your research questions. Then you can download the dataset and run a simple statistical procedure on your own computer with your own software.
You will need quite lot skills for running your own analysis, although SAS, SPSS, and Stata setup files are provided with many CSDN datasets.
While the CSDN holdings include several time series and other types of aggregate data, our holdings consist mainly of raw data derived from surveys, censuses, and administrative records. These data were originally collected for specific research or administrative purposes. However, the data have research potential that outlives the original purposes for which they were collected. CSDN preserves these valuable data resources and makes them publicly available for secondary analysis.
The CSDN data holdings cover a wide range of social science areas such as population, economics, education, health, social and political behavior, social and political attitudes.
Terms, formats, and statistical vocabulary
Before you begin working with CSDN data, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the methodological terms that are widely used across this Web site. If you need help with social science terminology, or with basic computing concepts, we do strongly suggest that you consult the following sources:
ICPSR Glossary of Social Science Terms
Social Sciences Research and Instructional Glossary