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What is Open Data?

The Open Data Handbook refers to Open Data as data that can be freely used, re-used and redistributed by anyone.

  • The data must be available as a whole and at no more than a reasonable reproduction cost, preferably by downloading over the internet. The data must also be available in a convenient and modifiable form.
  • The data must be provided under terms that permit re-use and redistribution including the intermixing with other datasets.
  • Everyone must be able to use, re-use and redistribute - there should be no discrimination against fields of endeavour or against persons or groups. For example, ‘non-commercial’ restrictions that would prevent ‘commercial’ use, or restrictions of use for certain purposes (e.g. only in education), are not allowed. 

For more information, see "What is open data?" Open Data Handbook. Accessed April 19, 2023. 

Open Data Benefits

Accelerates the pace of discovery

When datasets are openly available, they can be easily accessed and used to create a fuller picture of a given area of inquiry, or analyzed by data mining software that can uncover connections not apparent to those who produced the original data.

Grows the economy 

Researchers estimate that $3.2 trillion in economic output could be added to global GDP through Open Data across all sectors, with scientific and scholarly data playing an important role.[1]

Helps ensure we don’t miss breakthroughs

There are a huge number of ways to use or analyze any given dataset. What seems like noise to one person could be an important discovery to someone else with a different perspective or analytical technique.

Improves the integrity of the scientific and scholarly record

When the data that underlies findings is accessible, researchers can check each other’s work and ensure that conclusions are built upon a firm foundation.

Is becoming recognized by many in the research community as an important part of the research enterprise

From research funders like the US government to publishers, institutions involved in the research process are beginning to require that, at the very least, the data that underlies publications be made openly accessible.

Open Data has the potential to speed up the research process while simultaneously improving our confidence in those results. The access, use, and curation of this huge and growing body of data is central to the research enterprise.

Source: SPARC

Citations

Contact Us

If you are looking for a specific dataset that we do not have listed or you would like to suggest an add-on, please contact one of Reed Library's friendly librarians for assistance. 

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