A dataset is a collection of data. It is often in the form of a spreadsheet, table or database. However, it could also be a collection of notes from qualitative studies, or videos or images taken as part of a research project.

After you've found a dataset you would like to use, you need to evaluate it. Consider if it is appropriate, is the size large enough, and does it fit your needs? Then check the:

• Provenance – does it come from an authoritative source? Government, university and other known institutions are reliable sources of datasets.
• Quality of metadata – how well is the data described? Are the variables described clearly so that you can confidently use the data?
• Availability – some datasets are only available if certain conditions are met. You might need permission from the data owner, or have approval from an ethics committee. Are you able to manipulate the data to fits your needs?