The library offers access to a wealth of data collections from government sources, proprietary databases, not-for-profit agencies, and other institutions.  Data Services can help you navigate these and other publicly available sources. We can also help you with the process when using data that has special access requirements.

Consult

If you need help finding data on a specific topic, email dataservices@jhu.edu with a description of what you are working on, what you are looking for, and we will set up a personalized one-on-one virtual consultation to help you.

We help with

Finding Data

The first step to finding data is defining and refining your research question. We can work with you to help formulate your research question, and connect you to the data that will best help answer it.

Accessing Data

If you need help accessing data with special access requirements, such as restricted data, we can guide you through the access process.

Using Data

If you have found data you would like to use for research, but it is in a format you are not familiar with, we can guide you towards the right tools and resources for loading and using the data.

Data Grant

Do you need a particular dataset to conduct your research? Is there a dataset that would be useful to your department or research group? If you are an active JHU affiliate you may apply for a JHU Libraries Data Grant and, contingent on eligibility and availability, you will receive access to the data you need. Visit the JHU Libraries Data Grant page for more information about the program, and how to apply.

ICPSR

Johns Hopkins University is an institutional member of the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR). ICPSR is the oldest social science data repository in existence, comprising an international consortium of more than 750 academic institutions and research organizations, ICPSR provides leadership and training in data access, curation, and methods of analysis for the social science research community.

Through ICPSR JHU faculty, staff, and students can find data by topic, find related publications, and deposit their own data.

Learn

For a list of data from government sources, proprietary databases, not-for-profit agencies, other institutions, as well as publicly available data, visit Guides: Data and Statistics: Home.

Services we do not cover

Outside of the JHU Libraries Data Grant Program we will not make data purchases on your behalf.