When I started as a research assistant, my advisor offered three simple pieces of advice: “Get the data, get the data, get the data”. For all the advances in the technique and popularity of quantitative research methods, obtaining the actual data remains haphazard. Some seemingly public data have an almost mythical ability to avoid being accessed. Often the only way to obtain the data used in a published work is to email the author and beg. However, things are looking up, at least at the UN:
The new UN data access system will improve the dissemination of statistics by UNSD to the widest possible audience. An easy to use data access system was developed that meets UNSD’s vision of providing an integrated information resource with current, relevant and reliable statistics free of charge to the global community.
The new site offers a google-ish interface to explore the UN’s vast datasets and will be a welcome tool for quantitative researchers.
Hat Tip: FlowingData
Christopher Albon is a Ph.D. candidate specializing in armed conflict, public health, human security, and health diplomacy.
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