When you embark on any search for data, it's important to keep in mind what your data need entails and record where you have searched so far and what, if anything, you have found. It is also critical to be open to new directions for the dataset you ultimately end up using. In other words, while it's important to have a topic and explore possibilities, you may run into a case where there is just not data on your specific topic. In this case you may need to broaden or narrow the scope of your query. This is why it's important to be flexible when searching for a dataset.

In addition to the worksheet, ICPSR (a fantastic social sciences data repository) offers a helpful five step process to assist students and researchers as they embark on a search for a dataset. The five steps are listed here, and each step is linked to the ICPSR website. 

1. Identify your topic of interest

2. List your data requirements

3. Search for possible datasets in repositories and article references

4. Evaluate possible datasets: Are your requirements met? 

5. Finalize your research question