Reuse of open data is making scientific findings more statistically robust and leading to exciting new meta-analytical discoveries. Data reuse makes science more reproducible and makes best use of the hard work and cost of data collection. Best of all…data reuse means that you can find some fun data to play around with!

This workshop will approach dataset searching in two sections: 1) we will first discuss what motivates researchers to find and reuse others’ data, that is, we will discuss some practical circumstances that require finding and using other researcher’s datasets, and 2) we will compare resources and tools for finding datasets, including the Federated Research Data Repository, Scholar’s GeoPortal, Kaggle, and even curated newsletters and blogs by leaders in various data communities. 

This workshop is a part of the “where to start” data workshop series. This means that the point of the session is not to deliver a step-by-step tutorial. Instead, we aim to help you to identify the best resources to begin a sustainable, practical journey to the form of data literacy that best suits your needs. Each workshop is a stand-alone experience, though they are offered in an intentional sequence.