# Optimising Data Discovery

Before your data can be used, it has to be discovered. Data discovery is the process by which users 

 \- find data (on the web)

 \- assess the data to ensure it is fit for their intended purpose. 

This is a relatively complex process that might look as follows:

  \- dataset search on Google Data Search; 

 \- previewing the data on the website; 

 \- opening the data in excel

 \- data visualisation in excel 

 \- evaluation information search on Google 

Consequently, supporting findability and sensemaking with best practices is key to data reuse. 

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For more on data discovery journeys and how generative AI might change these, read the ODI and King's College London's research paper on '[Prompting Datasets'. ](https://arxiv.org/pdf/2312.09947)