How to get datasets:

1. Download from a website to your computer.

The easiest and fastest way to get datasets is to download them directly from a digital data archive to your own computer. MU faculty, staff and students may download datasets directly from ICPSR and also from the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research (see menu links in navigation box on the left). There is no limit to the number of files you may download. There are also many more sources for data on the internet, many of which are available for download at little or no cost.

Most data available for direct download comes in a zipped format. You can use software like Power Archiver to unzip files after you download them. MU students, faculty and staff may download Power Archiver software free from the DoIT Download site.

2. Check out a CD-ROM from MU Libraries

Ellis Library has a small CD-ROM collection located outside just the Government Documents office on the first floor. Here you will find CDs containing popular datasets such as the General Social Survey. We also have CDs issued by federal statistical agencies, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Center for Education Statistics, the Census Bureau, and more. Most of the time, data available on CD from government agencies is also available for download from the agency's website. Browse our data CDs on the open shelves, or find them through the MERLIN Catalog.

Not enough space on your computer?

If you do not want to download datasets to your own computer, you may request that Ellis Data Services place datasets in Bengal server space for you. First you must identify the ICPSR or Roper study that you want, and then contact the Data Services Librarian with your request. You'll be emailed when the study is loaded. How you access the dataset will depend on the statistical program you plan to use -- please select [SAS] or [SPSS] for further instructions.