Find Secondary Datasets

Secondary datasets are existing sets of data collected for purposes other than your current research. Researchers use secondary datasets to analyze, interpret, or draw conclusions based on pre-existing data, saving time and resources compared to collecting new data.

Open Data

Not all secondary datasets are accessible to researchers. You need to make sure you're using data that is not just publicly available but that is licensed for reuse. These datasets are called 'open data'.

For example, the British Columbia Government has an 'Open Government License' that states:

You are free to:

Copy, modify, publish, translate, adapt, distribute or otherwise use the information in any medium, mode or format for any lawful purpose.

Explore the websites below to find open data you can analyze for your Capstone project. This is not an exhaustive list, please feel free to explore other reliable secondary data sources you find.

Canadian Open Data

Lunaris
Lunaris provides access to Canadian research data using both text and map-based searching. This is a multidisciplinary repository.
Open Government Across Canada
Explore open municipalities, initiatives, and provincial data.

Provincial Open Data

British Columbia Data Catalogue
BC was the first province in Canada to publish its data under an open license. The data catalogue connects the public and government to each other. Making government data available online invites individuals, businesses and organizations to use this data in creating new innovative opportunities and solving problems for the betterment of all British Columbians.
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) Open Data
Data collected and made public by ICBC.

Municipal Open Data

Police Department Data*

Vancouver Police Department
New Westminster Police
Surrey RCMP
In future look to Surry Police Services.
Burnaby RCMP

*Read license to make sure your use falls within allowed uses.