| layout | default |
|---|---|
| title | Principles |
| permalink | /principles/ |
| filename | principles.md |
| published | false |
The term “open data” refers to publicly available data structured in such a way that enables the data to be fully discoverable and usable by end users. In general, open data will be consistent with the following principles:
"Open data" adopts a presumption in favor of openness to the extent permitted by law and subject to privacy, confidentiality, security or other valid restrictions.
Open data are made available in convenient and modifiable open formats that can be retrieved, downloaded, indexed, and searched by commonly used web search applications. Formats should be machine-readable (i.e., data are reasonably structured to allow automated processing). Open data structures do not discriminate against any person or group of persons and should be made available to the widest range of users for the widest range of purposes, often by providing the data in multiple formats for consumption. Open data should be made available in an open standard that has a publicly available specification that places no restrictions, monetary or otherwise, upon its use.
Open data are fully described so that consumers of the data have sufficient information to understand its strengths, weaknesses, analytical limitations, security requirements, as well as how to process it. This involves the use of robust, granular metadata (i.e., fields or elements that describe data), thorough documentation of data elements, data dictionaries, and, if applicable, a user’s guide that describes the purpose of the collection, the population of interest, the characteristics of the sample (if applicable), and the method of data collection.
Open data are made available under an open license that allows for modification and derivative work with, at most, a requirement to include attribution of the open data source in the distribution of any such derivative work.
Open data are published in primary forms as collected at the source, with the finest possible level of granularity that is practicable and permitted by law and other requirements, not in aggregate or modified forms. Derived or aggregate open data may also be published but must reference the primary data.
Open data are made available as quickly as necessary to preserve the value of the data. Frequency of release should account for key audiences and downstream needs.
A contact person must be designated to assist people trying to use the open data and to respond to complaints about adherence to these open data requirements.