Module 1.2: The Lifecycle of Open Civic Data

Introduction

This module introduces participants to the different steps of the open civic data lifecycle.

Guiding Questions

What is the open civic data lifecycle?
Why is understanding the lifecycle important?
What concerns (racial equity, privacy, inappropriate use of data, bias) should we make sure to address?

Vignette: Lifecycle of Open Civic Data

A public library is developing a strategic plan and goals for digital equity services. The librarian would like to understand how the Wi-Fi usage at the library branches has changed over a period of time and where use is heaviest. As part of this, the librarian is developing a plan that outlines how they intend to collect, manage, and utilize the data. Following the different stages of the open data lifecycle, the librarian produces a plan that takes into consideration how their library and community can make use of the data in equitable and appropriate ways.

Instructional Materials

Video

Video Files

Script and Slide Deck

Script and Slide Files

Activity

Investigating a Lifecycle

Overview: In this activity, we will build a picture of the lifecycle of an example open civic dataset, identifying the actions and decisions involved in creating, using, sharing, and reusing a dataset.

This activity can be done in a group setting or individually.

Supplies:

Sticky notes (one pad per group or individual)
Pens or pencils Sheets of paper for note taking
A computer or Internet-connected device

Time: ~45 minutes

Activity:

Set-up

If this activity is being done in a group setting, divide into groups of two. All groups/individuals should have a pack of sticky notes, pens/pencils and paper for note taking, and an Internet connected device.

2. Explore your dataset (20 minutes)

Using your device, navigate to the City of Pittsburgh 311 Data, available through the Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center. The 311 Data represents service requests made in the city, including reports of litter, potholes, abandoned vehicles and more.

The 311 Data is accompanied by metadata and documentation that can help us build a picture of the lifecycle of the data. Using the information you find on the portal (including the Data User Guide), begin to build a picture of the processes, tools, and decisions behind this data. If you’d like to search for information about 311 data in cities outside of the portal, feel free to do so.

Take some notes and (if in a group) discuss with your partner as you consider:

Are there policies or historical context that led to this service and the collection of the data?
Who collects this data and what is the original use?
What systems are used for collecting and managing the data?
Is the original data updated over time? Before being shared through the Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center, what work is involved in preparing the dataset for public use?
How often is the shared dataset updated? Can you find examples of reuse of the dataset?

Local Modification: Select a dataset that is local to your community or of interest to you! Visit your local open civic data portal (if you’re not sure if there is a data portal in your region, consider searching DataPortals.org, a catalog of data portals by the Open Knowledge Foundation).

But note! Since we aren’t talking to the data producers for this activity, it’s helpful to locate a dataset that has some rich metadata or documentation like a readme file. This will help you to explore the processes and decisions related to the dataset. For this reason, we selected a dataset that has an accompanying “data guide,” which is a type of expanded data documentation that provides a “narrative portrait of a dataset. They describe, among other things, the purpose and application of the data; the history, format, and standards; the organizational context; other analyses and stories that have used the dataset; and the limitations and ethical implications of the dataset.” While the data guide is not a common form of data documentation, it’s helpful for this exercise.

3. Represent the lifecycle of the dataset (10-15 minutes)

Distill what you’ve learned about the dataset. In Module 1.2, we represented a general lifecycle of open civic data. How would you represent the lifecycle of this dataset? What are the high level stages, actions, and decisions behind the data?

Using your sticky notes, write brief phrases that represent the lifecycle of the data. What stages or significant actions form the lifecycle?

Arrange your sticky notes on a wall or surface. Keep in mind that your lifecycle can be linear, cyclical, or another arrangement that resonates with what you observed!

4. Share out and Discussion [Group; 15 minutes] or One-Minute Paper [Individual; 5 minutes]

Group: If completing this activity in a group setting, do a “gallery walk,” observing the lifecycles that groups developed. Reconvene and discuss:

What were you able to learn from the documentation and what questions remain about the lifecycle? How would you approach investigating these questions?
What differences did you observe across the groups’ lifecycles? Similarities?
Did anything surprise you while completing this activity?
Would you agree with this statement? Why or why not?: Before using a dataset, it is necessary to unpack the data to understand its lifecycle.

Individual: Reflect on the activity with a “one-minute paper.” Spend a short period of time considering the following in a written response:

What were you able to learn from the documentation and what questions remain about the lifecycle? How would you approach investigating these questions?
What differences did you observe across the groups’ lifecycles? Similarities?
Did anything surprise you while completing this activity?
Would you agree with this statement? Why or why not?: Before using a dataset, it is necessary to unpack the data to understand its lifecycle.

Activity Files

Additional Resources

PreviousModule 1.1: Introduction to Open Civic Data NextModule 1.3: A Critical Approach to Open Civic Data

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