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Health Statistics & Data

Quick access to some of the available resources that gather statistics and data for health related concerns.

Statistics vs. Data - What do you need?

Before diving head first into the dozens of options available for accessing data, it is important to understand if you are looking for raw data or statistics

 

Although these terms are often used interchangeably in normal conversation, in research and academia we need to understand the important distinction between data and statistics.

 

To put it simply,

  • Data is the raw information collected during the research process, is used to create statistics, and is often meaningless to readers until data analysis is complete.

  • Statistics are used to interpret and summarize the raw data so it will make sense to readers.

Raw Data

Statistics
  • made up of raw numbers which often come from data was collected as part of research studies or surveys
  • unprocessed data collected by researchers that can usually not be interpreted without statistical analysis
  • the raw information that statistics are created from
  • used to create new information and knowledge
  • interpreted/processed data derived from raw data, often to show relationships among variables
  • the result of data analysis
  • often presented in a format that humans can read and understand
  • commonly displayed as tables, charts, or graphs, or as numbers or percentages

 

 

 

 

 

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