A statistical research API for developers and AI agents

How it works

One shared, validated research engine serves both this website and the API. It finds the appropriate data, applies approved statistical methods, and — when analysis is enabled — returns computed results together with their methodology and provenance. The General Social Survey (GSS) is the current API dataset.

Capabilities

Describes supported datasets, analyses, coverage, limitations, and pricing.

{
  "api_version": "2026-09-26.preview",
  "status": "development_preview",
  "datasets": [{
    "id": "GSS",
    "coverage": { "first_year": 1972, "last_year": 2024 },
    "analyses": ["weighted_distribution", "weighted_distribution_by_group", "trend_over_years"],
    "group_by": ["sex", "race", "degree"]
  }],
  "limitations": ["..."],
  "pricing": { "standard_price": { "display": "$0.05 USDC" }, "provisional": true, "charged": false }
}

Estimate

Checks whether a question can likely be answered with GSS and returns an estimated price. Estimates do not run the analysis and do not charge a payment. The provisional price of $0.05 USDC is shown for planning only — not charged in preview.

Request

{
  "question": "Do Americans trust each other more than in the 1970s?",
  "output_detail": "standard"
}

Response

{
  "api_version": "2026-09-26.preview",
  "supported": true,
  "dataset": "GSS",
  "analysis_complexity": "standard",
  "estimated_price": { "amount": "0.05", "currency": "USDC", "display": "$0.05 USDC" },
  "execution": "not_run",
  "limitations": ["Estimate only; no analysis was run and no statistics are returned.", "..."]
}

Unsupported questions return "supported": false with a reason. Malformed requests return HTTP 400.

Execute (private preview)

Invite-only. Requires an approved developer API key sent as Authorization: Bearer <key>. It covers GSS only and uses the same engine as the Ask page. It stays unavailable until keys have been issued. If several GSS questions match, the response lists them as "selection_required". Retry with "variable" set to one of them. Nothing is guessed.

Each key can make 10 requests per 60 minutes. This preview limit is enforced on a best-effort basis. Nothing is charged: the $0.05 USDC price is only an estimate for planning.

Request

{
  "question": "Do Americans trust each other more than in the 1970s?",
  "variable": "trust",            // optional; only from a selection_required list
  "output_detail": "standard",    // brief | standard | full (full adds R code)
  "include_methodology": true
}

Errors: 400 malformed or unknown fields · 401 missing or invalid key · 409 variable not an approved match · 422 unsupported question or dataset · 429 rate limited.

What’s next

Wider access, durable rate limits, other datasets, and payment support are planned. No dates are set yet.

Authorized staff only

Data science workspace

The internal workspace is where authorized I Don't Know staff register and review datasets and submit or review governed R analyses. Staff sign-in is required, and access is limited to approved staff accounts.