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CIS 214DA: Searching for Raw Datasets

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Use Google to search for raw datasets. 

  1. Be sure you are using raw data.
  2. Evaluate any data or information you find on the open web.

Search Tips

  1. Think about who or what organization might collect the data you are interested in. Visit their website to see if they make data available. 

    1. government agencies

    2. nonprofit organizations

    3. business/industry organizations or corporations

    4. universities or academic research institutions

  2. Include search terms like  "raw data", "raw datasets", "unaggregated data" 

    1. Search example: criminal justice unaggregated data

    2. Search example: water pollution raw dataset

  3. Search for a particular document or file type. Often datasets are found in excel sheets (.xls) or other similar document types such as .xml, .csu, and json. Use the document type in your search.

    1. Search example: json AND climate raw dataset

  4. Also, try the Advanced Google Search and use the file type field to select a specific type of document. 

Advanced Google file type field search