Once you have clearly identified your specific data needs, you may be able to find statistics (generally from the same sources described in this tutorial) using the right terms in a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing or Yahoo!). To locate the most relevant information, make sure to enter detailed search terms (what, where, when).
For example, you are writing a report on the magnitude of the diabetes epidemic in the United States. Below are some examples of possible search terms:
Be sure to verify that the resource you find is a reliable one. If possible, find the original source of the data, rather than quoting a secondary source, to ensure accuracy and currency, and to avoid misinterpretation.