Dataset
Definition
A structured collection of values—often rows and columns—that can be analyzed or visualized.
Why it matters
Knowing what a dataset is helps you evaluate coverage, freshness, and fitness for a question.
Example
A CSV of city library checkouts by month and branch.
Related terms
Related resources
- Data.gov datasets (opens in new tab)
Federal open data catalog for practice reading metadata and documentation.
- W3C Data on the Web Best Practices (opens in new tab)
Standards-oriented checklist for publishing usable, documented datasets.