Module 3.4: Data Documentation for Open Civic Data

Introduction

This is the second of two modules on metadata and documentation. In this module, we consider the ways that open data initiatives have approached creating and managing the information about data, or metadata. We will build an understanding of the importance of data documentation for supporting understanding and reuse of civic open data.

Guiding Questions

What is metadata and data documentation and why are they important to open civic data sharing?
How does data documentation impact the interpretation of data?
How can information professionals create data documentation that makes open civic data easier to use and understand?

Vignette

To support the usage of their Wi-Fi data, the librarian creates metadata for the dataset shared through the open data portal and creates a data dictionary and readme file that supports the reuse of the data. They also create a civic data guide, based on the LibGuide model, that provides information about why and how the data was collected, the organizational context in which it was collected, and the limitations of the data. The librarian also seeks out qualitative stories to contextualize the data to include in this guide.