Data and Statistical Sources: Social Science

The General Social Survey (GSS) is a nationally representative survey of adults in the United States conducted since 1972. The GSS collects data on contemporary American society in order to monitor and explain trends in opinions, attitudes and behaviors. Among the topics covered are civil liberties, crime and violence, intergroup tolerance, morality, national spending priorities, psychological well-being, social mobility, and stress and traumatic events.

Links to a large collection of social science research data.

The American Trends Panel datasets cover topics such as religion, politics, Covid-19, social media, e-commerce, and more. Must set up a free account to access survey data.

A cross-national collaboration conducting scientific surveys on diverse topics relevant to social science. Data is available beginning in 1985, and covers a variety of social science topics including the role of government; social networks; social inequality; family and gender roles; religion; national identity; citizenship; and environment. Access to data is free of charge upon registration.

The European Social Survey (ESS) is a cross-national survey that has been conducted across Europe since its establishment in 2001. The survey measures the attitudes, beliefs and behaviour patterns of diverse populations in more than thirty nations. Data is collected every two years, and is free to access with registration. Topics include democracy, personal well being, climate change, immigration, welfare, and more.

The World Values Survey is a global network of social scientists studying changing values and their impact on social and political life. The WVS, which began in 1981, consists of nationally representative surveys conducted in almost 100 countries which contain almost 90 percent of the world’s population. Data is available in a variety of formats, and is free to download with registration.

Campaign contributions and expenditures for all 50 states.

Presents trends in American public opinion and politics from 1948 to the present.

This page provides access to data tables that summarize campaign financial activity by election cycle, filer type, and coverage period. Data tables for congressional candidates, political parties, political action committees, and communication filings (independent expenditures, electioneering communications and communication costs) are available for each semi-annual period in non-election years, and quarterly in election years. Presidential candidate data tables are available semi-annually beginning in the year preceding a presidential election, and quarterly and monthly in presidential election years.

Companies, labor unions, trade associations and other influential organizations spend billions of dollars each year to lobby Congress and federal agencies. Some special interests retain lobbying firms, many of them located along Washington's legendary K Street; others have lobbyists working in-house. Totals spent on lobbying, beginning in 1998, for everyone from AAI Corp. to Zurich Financial.

Guidance and access to information about congressional districts, state legislative districts, and redistricting data.

Enter address or geocodes to lookup its 118th congressional districts, 2024 state legislative districts after redistricting, school districts, voting districts, federal and state elected officials, zip+4, standardized address, census block, census track, sales tax rate, geocodes, location on the map and more.

Includes national and state level voter turnout rates and early voting statistics for selected states and jurisdictions, along with voting statistics for selected demographics.

Voter and Registration data from 1960 to present.

A collection of public opinion data covering topics such as presidential and congressional elections, government spending, economy, immigration, healthcare, abortion, race relations, religion, and wealth and poverty.