Data and Statistics

Data is the raw material from which information is produced. Data can be imported and analyzed in statistical software like SPSS, R, or NVivo to generate results that provide insight on just about anything, from how many birds live in a particular forest, to the average temperature of a city, to how many hours people spend watching TV. Analyzing data allows researchers to better understand situations, make informed guesses, test their ideas, and find answers to important questions. 

The Maps, Data and Government Information Centre (MaDGIC) serves as a central point of access to a wide range of data and statistics. We provide access to restricted microdata files as well as aggregate data, statistics, and census data made available for research and educational purposes. Use the menus below to explore these collections and contact MaDGIC for personalized support. 

Microdata displays information for a single unit of observation such as an individual, a household or a business, for example individual responses to a survey about Internet usage. 

The value of microdata is in enabling analysis of differences in groups or subsets of a population. For example, instead of relying on statistics like the average education, income or health status of individuals living in a certain region, researchers can study differences across subgroups of the population such as by gender, age, education level, place of birth, and other demographics. This type of analysis can help us understand how policies or social issues might affect different groups of people in different ways.

As a member of Statistics Canada’s Data Liberation Initiative (DLI), MaDGIC has access to regularly updated sources of microdata that are available to Trent University faculty, staff and students for teaching and research purposes. Visit the Statistics Canada Data Liberation Initiative page for a comprehensive list of DLI products.

Use the sources linked below to search for microdata. 

Need help? Connect with our team via email to madgichelp@trentu.ca or book an appointment from our Contact Us page.

  • The Ontario Data Documentation, Extraction Service and Infrastructure (odesi) is a digital repository for social science data including surveys, statistics, and public opinion polls. Researchers can search for variables (survey questions) across thousands of datasets. Microdata and aggregate data are available in a range of formats. A Trent login is required to use odesi.
  • The CHASS Canadian Census Analyzer provides access to aggregated profile tables and microdata from the Census of Canada years 1961 to 2016. Users can subset files and export data in a range of formats for display or statistical analysis. A Trent login is required to use CHASS Canadian Census Analyzer.
  • The Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) is an archive of over 250,000 files focused on social and behavioural science research. This international consortium offers access to specialized collections in fields like education, aging, criminal justice, and substance abuse. Microdata files contain survey statistics mainly from the United States, although other countries are represented. Users will need to create a free account using their Trent email address to access the collections. 

Aggregate data displays statistics that summarize information for many units of observation. A good illustrative example of aggregate data is this Census Program Data Viewer dashboard from Statistics Canada that lets users explore 2021 Census of Population data aggregated by province. 

Statistics are a type of information obtained by performing mathematical operations on data, such as calculating the mean, median, or mode for a dataset. Statistics allow us to see the bigger picture or to understand trends, patterns, or averages in data. Statistics Canada maintains products that enable users to interact with statistics, for example the Real-Time Local Business Conditions Index. 

Trent Library subscribes to databases and participates in agreements to provide access to aggregate data and statistics for teaching and research. Use the list below to explore these resources. 

Need help? Connect with our team via email to madgichelp@trentu.ca or book an appointment from our Contact Us page.

Find Aggregate Data and Statistics

  • The Ontario Data Documentation, Extraction Service and Infrastructure (odesi) is a digital repository for social science data including surveys, statistics, and public opinion polls. Researchers can search for variables (survey questions) across thousands of datasets. Microdata and aggregate data are available in a range of formats. A Trent login is required to use odesi.
  • CANSIM is Statistics Canada’s main socioeconomic database. Updated daily, CANSIM covers a wide range of statistics in subject areas like agriculture, business, culture, demography, economic accounts, education, health, housing, pricing, transportation, and more. Trent users can access CANSIM from the Statistics Canada website or by using CANSIM through CHASS, which provides extended functionality to manipulate and visualize datasets. A Trent login is required to use CANSIM through CHASS.
  • The CHASS Trade Analyzer provides web interfaces for the Canadian International Merchandise Trade (CIMT) database (1988 to latest available) and World Trade database (1980-2005) produced by Statistics Canada, International Trade Division. This data is no longer updated by Statistics Canada.
  • Statista provides access to market and consumer data, statistics, forecasts, studies and reports consolidated from more than 80,000 topics and organized into 21 market sectors. Statista includes Canadian content as well as international coverage mainly focused in the United States. Statista is a valuable resource for business professionals, lecturers, and researchers, offering detailed insights into market trends, consumer behavior, and economic sectors. A Trent login is required for full access to Statista.
  • Don’t forget to search Omni for additional resources that may not be listed here! 

The Census of Canada, a survey of the entire population, is a reliable source of data and information to describe Canada’s population demographics, dwellings, and agricultural operations. Statistics Canada conducts the Census of Population and the Census of Agriculture every five years and releases many datasets and products publicly as well as for in education and research purposes.

Find Census Data 

  • The Ontario Data Documentation, Extraction Service and Infrastructure (odesi) is a digital repository for social science data including surveys, statistics, and public opinion polls. Researchers can search for variables (survey questions) across thousands of datasets. Microdata and aggregate data are available in a range of formats. A Trent login is required to use odesi.
  • The CHASS Canadian Census Analyzer provides access to aggregated profile tables and microdata from the Census of Canada years 1961 to 2016. Users can subset files and export data in a range of formats for display or statistical analysis. A Trent login is required to use CHASS Canadian Census Analyzer.
  • Scholars GeoPortal provides downloadable census geography boundary files for a range of years. A Trent login is required to use Scholars GeoPortal.
  • The postal code conversion file (PCCF) is a digital file that links six-digit postal codes to standard census boundaries used by Statistics Canada. The PCCF does not contain data itself, rather it matches postal codes to geographies within which Statistics Canada collects and distributes data, such as dissemination areas. This enables researchers to integrate demographic or socioeconomic data from Statistics Canada datasets to conduct more precise and location-specific analysis. PCCF products are available to current Trent students, staff and faculty. Contact MaDGIC for access to postal code conversion files.

There are many sources where you can acquire open data on various topics. Our team can help you evaluate open data sources to determine if the data you're hoping to use is appropriate and of sufficient quality to support your research goals. 

We have provided some trusted open data sources below. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. 

Need help? Connect with our team via email to madgichelp@trentu.ca or book an appointment from our Contact Us page.

Find Open Data 

Canada 

  • Statistics Canada (StatCan) is a central hub for gathering and analyzing data about Canada and its people. This federal agency collects information on everything from population demographics and economic trends to health statistics and environmental data. StatCan data is reliable, up-to-date and comprehensive and is used to study social trends, inform public policy, evaluate economic performance, and explore environmental changes. Data is gathered systematically and with strict attention to accuracy, making StatCan a trusted source for objective and detailed statistical information. 
  • Canada's Open Government Portal is part of the federal government's commitment to enhance transparency and accountability. It includes data on government spending, operations, and completed access to information request summaries, making it valuable for those seeking detailed insights into government activity. 
  • Open Databases provides a single search portal to access a range of publicly available datasets focusing on different aspects of Canadian infrastructure and society like businesses, greenhouses, buildings, educational and healthcare facilities, cultural and art facilities, addresses, and recreational and sport facilities. Each database provides detailed data in a range of formats. 
  • Natural Resources Canada provides detailed statistics and analysis on Canada's natural resources, including energy production and consumption, forestry, mining, and earth sciences. Additionally, the site offers access to reports like the State of Canada's Forests, key facts about natural resource sectors, data on major projects, and Canadian open science resources. 
  • Canadian Climate Data and Scenarios provides historical climate observations, global climate model scenarios, and various derived data products like climate indices and ocean wave heights. This site also provides access to statistically and dynamically downscaled climate scenarios, seasonal forecasts, and resources for understanding the impact of climate change on Canada's infrastructure and environment. 
  • Borealis is a bilingual, multidisciplinary, secure, Canadian research data repository, supported by academic libraries and research institutions across Canada. Borealis supports open discovery, management, sharing, and preservation of Canadian research data. Use the robust search features to discover open data shared by researchers across Canada. Interested in depositing research data in Borealis? Trent University is an active member of the Borealis community. Find out how the library can help you manage your research data.

Ontario 

  • The Ontario Data Catalogue enables users to discover open and restricted datasets covering topics from taxes to hospital locations. Search for data using keywords, apply filters, and access tools for data visualization and chart creation, all in your browser. Open datasets are available for download or preview, and users can subscribe to updates for specific datasets or the entire catalogue. 
  • Researchers using the Ontario Community Health Profiles Partnership website will find an easy-to-use, free resource filled with health and socio-demographic data and maps about Ontario communities. Users can view and compare different health-related information on one map. The site also includes a helpful guide and documents explaining where the data comes from and how it's analyzed. 
  • Learn about Ontario’s current demographic situation and outlook. Access quarterly demographic reports on births, deaths and migration flows, population projections and census highlights.  

Peterborough 

  • The City of Peterborough Open Data site provides free access to many datasets. Explore data categories related to infrastructure, transportation and recreation, and use maps, data and interactive apps to learn more about the city, its infrastructure and capital improvement projects, transportation, recreation, and more. 

International 

  • Dryad is an open data publishing platform and a community committed to the open availability and reuse of research data. Find data on a broad range of topics from organizations around the world. Search for data by place name, keyword, journal, or institution. 
  • The United Nations Statistics Division is a central hub for global statistical information. The UNSD offers a wide range of data, including the Statistical Yearbook and World Statistics Pocketbook. 
  • D-PLACE is a unique database that integrates cultural, linguistic, environmental, and geographical information for over 1,400 human societies, which are defined as groups of people who share a culture or locality. You can compare different cultural practices to understand how they relate to language, neighbouring cultures, and the environment. The data primarily come from ethnographic work conducted before the mid-20th century and are presented in tables, maps, or linguistic trees.
  • Google Public Data Explorer provides access to public data and forecasts from international organizations and academic institutions like the World Bank and OECD. Users can visualize data through formats such as line graphs, bar graphs, and maps. Launched in 2010, it provides an experimental tool for data visualization, making it a useful resource for exploring and presenting statistical data. 
  • The U.S. Census website hosts a wide range of statistical data about the United States population and economy. The site provides access to various datasets, including information about demographics, housing, business, and many more topics. 
  • The U.S. Open Data Portal shares datasets generated by different levels of the U.S. government, including Federal, state, local, and tribal. The website is designed to improve public access to these datasets, offering them in machine-readable formats that are easy to find and use.