Research, be it data, quantitative or qualitative, is imperative to any economics degree.
Unfortunately it is easier said then done. In my experience, one of the biggest stumbling blocks is finding the initial relevant research or data. Finding a data set on the National Statistics website is not always the smoothest ride (if you are stuck on this, read our guide) and finding reliable information on the implications of trade barriers can also prove to be tricky.
For most, a search engine will be the place to start, a quick search may provide a few resources but they're not always the most reliable. How do you check the reliability? Our guide to using the internet for research could be very handy.
With this in mind we have provided a few handy links. These links are not directly to the resource but are organisations that have compiled online resources for economics. They should prove to be very, very useful.
Economic Data
A comprehensive list of free economic data and how to use it effectively.
Do you need more help with data collection?
If you are trying to find data for an economics project you may find Dr Edmund Cannon's informative guide on data collection very useful.
Data Archive
Data archive 'provides the largest collection of digital data in the social sciences and the humanities in the UK.'
The Development Gateway and Country Gateways
The Development Gateway gives development information and aims to spread this knowledge worldwide. Country Gateways allows you to see individual countries statistics on anything from UN Development to tourism. For some reason, the individual country development link on the Country Gateways site does not work, however, it does in another part of the site.
The Economics Network
The Economics Network provides online learning materials from Universities and other institutions providing lecture slides, worksheets, quizzes and much more. The audio and video lectures may be very useful, offering you the opportunity to view other institutions' lectures.
Google Directory
Google directory organises the web into categories. This economics category is split into further areas of economics and has many useful links.
Ideas
Do not be put off by the website design, this site provides 'information about working papers and published research to the economics profession. IDEAS stands for Internet Documents in Economics Access Service.‘
Inomics
Inomics is 'an internet service especially tailored to the needs of economists.'
Intute
Intute is 'a free online service providing you with a database of hand selected Web resources for education and research.' The link above takes you to their Economics section where a plethora of resources awaits.
Intute offers a priceless resource; the '55 essential economics websites' list, also available as a PDF. A quick browse reveals a host of resources for you to use.
OFFSTATS
The OFFSTATS database provides access to free statistics from official sources on the web.
RFE
Sponsored by the American Economic Association, the RFE (Resources for Economists) has 'over 2000 resources for students, academics, researchers and those with a general interest in economics.'
THE BEST ECONOMICS RESOURCES FOR COLLEGE PROFESSORS
This link has been sent to us by one of our users. The article provides links to a range of online resources on different topics of Economics. Despite the name, we are sure that students will also find the resource useful.
The newest internet phenomenon has a lot to offer economics students.
If you are after some quick data our data sources section may be able to help. It also has a few tips on how to use some rather tricky data sets.
