Resources and Finding Data

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) makes it possible to answer complex questions about our environment.

Western community members can register for ESRI Virtual Campus GIS courses. For more information, visit Western Technology Services (WTS).

Access GIS Support, guides, and tutorials

You can book an appointment with a Western Libraries' GIS Technical Specialist.

Statistics are:

• Ready to use facts derived from larger data sets.
• If you need a fact or number to support an argument.
• Presented in tabular format. 

Sources of Canadian Statistics:

• Statistics Canada Data is the best for quick searches.
• Canadian Socio-Economic Information Management System (CANSIM) tables (Statistics Canada data) through Computing in the Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS), provides the same data in a form that makes it easier for bulk download.

Other data and statistic guides and tools available to help you gather, extract, and analyze data are:

• Canadian Federal Government Research Guide identifies major print, microform, and electronic sources owned by The D.B. Weldon Library.
• United Nations and Affiliated Organizations Research Guide identifies major print, microform, and electronic United Nations and Affiliated Organizations information sources.
• Western Data Science Solutions statistical consulting and tutoring.

Statistics Canada Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) data resources, which includes a collection of Public Use Microdata Files (PUMF). PUMFs files can be downloaded at the following sites:

• Research Data Centre has on campus access to Statistics Canada master data files for analysis. Access is by application only.
• Odesi Data Delivery System has Statistics Canada PUMFs, a large collection of public opinion polls, and other Canadian data files.

Odesi provides open and enhanced access to a variety of data collections such as Statistics Canada's Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) public use microdata, historical datasets, and Canadian public opinion polls, including the Gallup Canada, IPSOS Canada, and the Canadian Opinion Research Archives (CORA).

Searching in odesi

Census Analyzer provides access to Canadian Census Profiles from 1961 onwards through a common interface. Depending on the year, the files will be available at various geographic levels.

• ICPSR Data is one of the world's largest collections of international social science data.
• Roper Centre is for polling data.

Additional data resources and assistance

If you need help finding data for your coursework, research, or teaching, come to the Map and Data Centre for assistance. Staff are available to assist you. Contact rsclib@uwo.ca to book at appointment.

The Association of Canadian Map Libraries and Archives (ACMLA) Citation Guide is an official map citation guide for maps and geospatial data.

The following software products are specialized products used with data and geospatial files. These products are available either as a site license for users at Western or within an academic subscription model.

• ESRI - ArcGIS is a Geographic Information System (GIS) Software License at Western. It is a site license that can be used in computing labs, through myVlab, or by access via Western Technology Services (WTS).
• SAS Site License is statistical software that is available through Western Technology Services (WTS).
• SPSS Academic Licenses at Western allows access to SPSS statistical software. Contact Campus Computer Store for information about purchasing this statistical software.
• Stata is an statistical package that is available in myVlab and in the library. 
• NVivo is for qualitative data analysis. This qualitative software is used to organize, annotate, structure, and for conclusions on unstructured data such as documents and interviews. To purchase and / or for renewal information contact Campus Computer Store.

Learn more about Western Site License Software