Let the data run free! Government organizations, academic institutions, non-profits, and even passionate sports fans are gathering and sharing valuable data sets with the public. The topics are wide ranging, from climate change to health to inequality to happiness. It is a powerful way to support a cause and encourage data-driven analysis.
These open data sets are set loose on a website in hopes that interested visitors will come flocking. How do you make that site as effective as possible? Simply posting the data in a searchable format isn’t enough. To achieve impact, you need to make it easy to understand, manipulate, and explore.
The following checklist is a collection of best practices and reminders for your open data project.
1. State Your Purpose
To start, you need to address the question: WHY this data? And WHAT can a viewer gain from using the data? The following examples feature prominent statements about the purpose.
