Statistics may be useful for certain topics and can be very effective in making a point. They answer questions of "How many…?” or, “How much?” They can illusustrate changes over time. You may want statistics to support your topic, to verify results found in another statistical report, or to update statistics from an older report. Various government agencies, associations, organizations, companies, and other entities collect statistics.

Note: It is important to analyze statistical information very carefully to understand how information is being presented.

Look at the date of the data you find. Keep in mind that it takes a considerable amount of time to collect statistics, analyze them, and publish them. It is difficult to find really recent statistics for any topic.

For example, the census is collected every 10 years. Census information for the in-between years is usually an estimate based on trends.

It is also important to look for bias when using statistical reports. For example, the statistics Planned Parenthood reports about abortion may be different from those used by the National Right to Life organization. Two groups can take a statistic and skew it to fit their needs.