Finding and Using Data

Finding Data

Without logging in to Dataverse, users can browse Dataverse, search for dataverses, datasets, and files, view dataset descriptions and files for published datasets, and subset, analyze and visualize data for published (restricted & not restricted) data files. To view a unpublished dataverse, dataset, or file, a user will need to be given permission from that dataverse’s administrator to access it.

A user can search the dataverses, datasets, and files within a particular dataverse by using the search bar found on a dataverse page. For example, if you are on the Murray Research Archive Dataverse page, you can search that specific dataverse’s contents by using the search bar and/or facets displayed on the page.

Browsing Dataverse

In Dataverse, browsing happens when a user hasn’t entered a search term or query into the basic search bar. Browsing is the default for a user when they are on the Dataverse homepage or a specific dataverse’s page. When browsing, only dataverses and datasets appear in the results list and the results can be sorted by Name (A-Z or Z-A) and by Newest or Oldest.

Using Data

View Dataverses + Datasets

After performing a search and finding the dataverse or dataset you are looking for, click on the name of the dataverse or dataset or on the thumbnail image to be taken to the page for that dataverse or dataset. Once on a dataverse page, you can view the dataverses, datasets, and files within that dataverse.

Once on a dataset page, you will see the title, citation, description, and several other fields as well as a button to email the dataset contact. Below that information, the files, metadata, and version information for the dataset are available.

Cite Data

You can find the citation for the dataset at the top of the dataset page in a blue box. Additionally, there is a Cite Data button that offers the option to download the citation as EndNote XML, RIS Format, or BibTeX Format.

Download Files

Within the Files tab on a dataset page, a user can either Explore tabular data files using TwoRavens, Download All File Formats + Information or individually download the Original File Format, Tab Delimited Format, Variable Metadata, Data File Citation (EndNote XML, RIS Format, or BibTeX Format), or Subset (options appear depending on file format).

To download more than one file at a time, select the files you would like to download and then click the Download button above the files. The selected files will download in zip format.

Explore Data

Please see the Data Exploration Guide.