Research project: Open Data Barometer

Access the Open Data Barometer report here.

The Open Data Barometer takes a multidimensional look at the spread of Open Government Data (OGD) policy and practice across the world. Combining peer-reviewed expert survey data and secondary data sources, the Barometer explores countries readiness to secure benefits from open data, the publication of key datasets, and evidence of emerging impacts from OGD.

In detail:

The Open Data Barometer was conceived of as a companion study to the Web Index. The Web Index is a multidimensional measure of the Web’s use, utility and impact. The Barometer focuses in on the context, availability and emerging impacts of Open Government Data (OGD). 

The Barometer is designed to provide a clear and comparable analysis of the macro-level context for open data, the availability of open data, and emerging impacts of open data, across the world. It will support advocates, researchers and policy makers to better understand the development of open data globally, and will contribute to a growing evidence base on open government data. 

Framework:

The Open Data Barometer is structured in three sections to reflect the different stages involved in realising the benefits of open data, and the different groups who may be involved in, and may benefit from, open data. The three sections are readiness, implementation and impact.

• Readiness - identifies how far a country has in place the political, social and economic foundations for realising the potential benefits of open data. The Barometer covers the readiness of government, entrepreneurs and business, and citizen and civil society.
• Implementation – identifies the extent to which government has published a range of key datasets to support innovation, accountability and more improved social policy. The barometer covers 14 datasets split across three clusters to capture datasets commonly used for: securing government accountability; improving social policy; and enabling innovation and economic activity.
• Emerging impacts – identifies the extent to which open data has been seen to lead to positive political, social and environment, and economic change. The Barometer looks for political impacts – including transparency & accountability, and improved government efficiency and effectiveness; economic impacts – through supporting start-up entrepreneurs and existing businesses; and social impacts – including environmental impacts, and contributing to greater inclusion for marginalised groups in society.