This CAREER project identifies solutions for improving the reuse of open data and assesses the demand for open government data. The research project models the open data user experience to clarify assumptions about who uses open data, what they find relevant, and their level of data literacy. Assessment tools are essential for evaluating open data investments. Years of congressional legislation and administrative projects have created a steady supply of spreadsheets, transaction logs, semi-structured documents, and other digital files released as open data. As public life increasingly depends on inferences made from data, an investigation into data literacy supports NSF's mission to advance national health, prosperity, and welfare. The findings in an open government context promote the progress of science and may be generalized to open research and open science projects.
The project examines the flow of open data from suppliers to consumers in a data supply chain. Three empirical studies reflect open government data projects at different stages of maturity. The studies demonstrate relationships between digital material and data science practice. Inductive social science inquiry and ethnographically-informed deductive research validate the findings. The empirical evidence closes a gap in knowledge about data reuse and advances theory in the emerging field of data usability. Outreach activities are designed to include professionals who may not be educated in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) but who could make valuable contributions to data-driven projects. The education plan is devoted to advancing data literacy in the classroom and in the workforce. The interdisciplinary foundations of this project are part of a broader conversation on the integrity of data science practices.
