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Research Guides

POL466: Topics in International Politics

Find IGOs

IGO documentation and publications

 Use this Google custom search (from Carleton University):

   

 

Since the mid-1990s, many governments and international governmental organizations (IGOs) have made their publications available on the internet. Use the custom Google search above as a place to start. 

Tip: If you have an exact title, search it in Google as a phrase by putting quotation marks around it (. "Safeguarding asylum: Sustaining Canada's commitments to refugees").

Print and microfiche documents are available in the Government Publications Collection on the 5th floor of Robarts Library. 

Data, statistics and information: definitions

The meaning of the terms data, information and statistics are often misunderstood. Below are definitions provided by Statistics Canada: 

Data: According to Statistics Canada, data can be defined as "facts or figures from which conclusions can be drawn". 

Information: Statistics Canada defines information as "data that have been recorded, classified, organized, related, or interpreted within a framework so that meaning emerges". 

Statistics: Statistics Canada defines statistics as "a type of information obtained through mathematical operations on numerical data". 

The chart below illustrates the differences between these terms: 

Figure 1. Data collected on the weight of 20 individuals in your classroom

Data

Information

Statistics

20 kg, 25 kg

5 individuals in the 20-to-25-kg range

Mean weight = 22.5 kg

28 kg, 30 kg, etc.

15 individuals in the 26-to-30-kg range

Median weight = 28 kg

(Source)

For a more detailed explanation, please visit https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/edu/power-pouvoir/ch1/definitions/5214853-eng.htm. 

Key statistical sources

Citing government information

Scholarly literature

Other research guides that might be helpful

Research help

Guide Authorship

This guide was created by Emily Chapman, Toronto Academic Library Intern, and Margaret Wall, Liaison Librarian for Political Science, and includes content from guides created by Sam-chin Li, Government Information Librarian.