# Understanding Data Search as a Socio-technical Practice

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1801.04971 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1801.04971/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 15 Jan 2018.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [From keywords to semantics: Perceptions of large language models in data discovery](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2510.01473/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Open research data are heralded as having the potential to increase effectiveness, productivity, and reproducibility in science, but little is known about the actual practices involved in data search. The socio-technical problem of locating data for reuse is often reduced to the technological dimension of designing data search systems. We combine a bibliometric study of the current academic discourse around data search with interviews with data seekers. In this article, we explore how adopting a contextual, socio-technical perspective can help to understand user practices and behavior and ultimately help to improve the design of data discovery systems.