open data -infrastructure and ecosystem by tim davies
DESCRIPTION
Using a comparative case study approach exploringopen data in use invarious contexts this study will trace the socio-technical flow of datasets into particular governance settings (e.g. budget allocation; environmentalmonitoring; urban planning policy). It seeks to understand:- How far does open data support more inclusive models ofgovernance: where those affected by a decision influence it?- Are different infrastructures and ecosystems needed for commercialand civic uses of open data? Or do they have a symbiotic relationship?- What sustainability strategies are available for governance-enablingopen data ecosystems?TRANSCRIPT
linked-development.org
API Quote
Links to download data files $
Access to aid activity records $
Access to transaction records $$
Full-text search $$$
Real-time updates $$$$
Open data: infrastructures and ecosystemsTim Davies (University of Southampton)
www.opendataimpacts.netFeedback? Questions? Tweet @timdavies / Email [email protected]
The 'standard model' of open data envisages pre-existing datasets
that are being given open licenses and then placed online through
data portals.
But in practice, open data often involves the construction of new
datasets, the development of common standards, and creation of
tools to facilitate access to the data.
This constitutes the creation of an infrastructure: most uses of the
data come to rely on these components. When infrastructure breaks down, the whole system
breaks down.
On top of this infrastructure, different groups of actors may build platforms or tools that use the available open data. These can come to
constitute distinct eco-systems of inter-related components, adding value to open datasets, and specialising to serve particular goals.
When ecosystems break down, users relying on them area affected. Non-
technical users are particularly reliant on intermediary ecosystems.
Ecosystems may compete with each other for resources and support.
Open data for inclusive governance: exploring the social life of data
Raw data now! But raw data is rarer, and less useful, that you might think
Construction involves choices and trade-offs
Choices prioritise certain uses
Overarching contextTechnical | Economic | Social | Political | Legal | Organisational
Governance setting
Open DataSupply Intermediary
Use
Use
Use Failed use
= flow of data
Using a comparative case study approach exploring open data in use in various contexts this study will trace the socio-technical flow of datasets into particular governance settings (e.g. budget allocation; environmental monitoring; urban planning policy). It seeks to understand:
- How far does open data support more inclusive models of governance: where those affected by a decision influence it?
- Are different infrastructures and ecosystems needed for commercial and civic uses of open data? Or do they have a symbiotic relationship?
- What sustainability strategies are available for governance-enabling open data ecosystems?
PhD study: 2013 - 2015. Planning stages.
www.opendataresearch.org
Sustainable ecosystems remain rare so far...
Data on development aid projects
UK DFID Data
World Bank Data
Swedish aid data
Common standard (XML)
Data portal (with API)
Custom outputData conversion
Mapping vocabulariesSend to:
data.gov.uk
A worked example based on the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI)
Data portal
Data store
Data Data Data
XML Standard
API
build appshere
XML Standard
Data portal
normalise into relational DB convert to RDF
link to research dataasets
csvconversion
tool
Drawing on participant observation, discussions with data users, and analysis of open source components
store in XMLdatabase
generate organisational
aid portals
senddata
extractsto
used by research analystused byactive
citizens
feedbackto...
brokenconversion
linked-development.org
store in
drives mobile apps used byaid beneficiaries
404app
not found
visualise
used by policy makers