Once you find a table or a dataset, you need to know what you are looking at. Look for contextual clues and documentation to fully identify what you have found.

Places to find information about the data:

• Title and source information: above and below published tables
• Dataset summary and overview text
• Metadata and definitions
• Technical documentation: user guide, technical information, data description, codebook

​Information to gather:

• Who produced the data
• When the data were collected
• Scope: geography, time period, universe of included/excluded
• Units of measurement
• How were data collected (e.g., what methods or equipment were used)?
• Are there more data available than what is here? If so, where?

Capturing the data:

• Look for download options: what formats are available?
• What comes with the download: metadata, definitions, citation?
• What else must I record while I’m here: URL where retrieved, search/query terms, etc.
• Always wonder: can I find better options: e.g., can I make my own table or download a more convenient file format?