This dataset supports the findings presented in the manuscript entitled "Bedding-Dependent Tensile Failure of Continental Shale: Insights from AE Time-Frequency Characteristic Analysis". It contains the primary experimental data and processed results used for the acoustic emission (AE) analysis within the study. The collection includes: Raw and Processed AE Waveforms: Original acoustic emission signals recorded during tensile failure tests on continental shale specimens with different bedding orientations. These waveforms form the basis for the time-domain and time-frequency analysis discussed in the manuscript. Frequency-Spectrum Data: Results of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis performed on the selected AE signals. These files contain the frequency-domain characteristics essential for investigating the dominant frequencies and spectral features associated with different fracture mechanisms and bedding plane influences. Source Data for Key Figures: Numerical data used to generate the central graphs and figures presented in the paper. This allows for independent verification of the results and facilitates further analysis or comparison. The dataset provides a foundation for reproducing the study's time-frequency analysis and offers valuable resources for researchers interested in shale mechanical behavior, fracture processes, and acoustic emission signal processing.