MELODA 0.202 Methodology for assessing released data of opendata sources

INTRODUCTION. BACKGROUND

Objective

The aim of MELODA (MEthodology for reLeasing Open DAta) is to provide a tool that will accelerate the release of information to society, mainly from the public sector but also from the private sphere.

Its use is focused on the maximum use of released information including commercial uses, mixing with private sources, etc. So that legal issues about information are considered as well as technical and accessibility issues.

Users

This methodology is aimed at those public and private entities that are releasing data and want to maximize the use of data published under a free reuse scheme.

Where to find

We release new versions of this methodology in http://gobernamos.com check it out.

DIMENSIONS OF ANALYSIS

To be operational MELODA must obtain a figure by assessing the available information of a data source (the same information that any user could reach). This requirement restricts the number of dimensions of analysis.

In this version MELODA analyses three dimensions:

• Legal framework
• Technical Standards
• Accessibility to the information

For each dimension to be analyzed 5 stages of maturity are considered.

Legal framework

In this five stages other considerations (i.e. Restriction of malicious use of informaTion, misuse, requirements to include the last update's date, etc are not included).

Attrirbution to the original source is always considered as a must.

Stage 1. Copyright.

Data sources in this stage:

• Either will reserve the copyright of data, thus restricting unauthorized use
• Either those entities require of an non-online authorisation to use the information (i.e. A form that has to be manually answered fits this category).Stage 2. Private use only

Stage 2. Private use

Data sources in this stage will allow the use of the data without approval processes but only for private uses. (non-commercial)

Stage 3. Non-commercial reuse

Data sources in this stage will allow reuse of data but they do not allow commercial uses of the information reuse.

(i.e. For a blog, for a non-profit organisation)

Stage 4. Commercial reuse

Data sources in this stage will allow reuse of data, including the commercial reuse.

(i.e. For any company in order to create new visualization of data)

Stage 5. Only recognition

Data sources in this stage will only ask re-users the attribution of the data.

I.e. releasing with CC BY.

Technical Standards for data releasing

Stage 1. Closed standard

Data sources in this stage are release on proprietary standards. Other open formats but not suitable for reutilization will be considered closed as well. The definition of open standard can be found in national level legislation.

Eg xls, pdf, doc, shp, etc.

Stage 2. Open standard

Data sources in this stage are published on open standards but as individual files.

i.e. eg, csv, txt, odb, odt, ods, etc.

Stage 3. Open standard with explanatory documentation

Data sources in this stage includes those which release information as open standards in individual files but with available explanatory information about the contents of the files.

i.e. csv, odb, odt, ods, etc with additional information about size, data type, range of registers of the file.

Stage 4. Open standards, individual access/metadata

Data sources in this stage includes those which release information accessible item by item through some technical mechanism (API, individual URI, etc). Additional information about the content of the data source is not available.

i.e. rdf without additional instructions

Stage 5. Open standard with associated metadata and explanatory material

Data sources in this stage includes those which release information accessible on individual basis through some open technical mechanism (open API, individual URI, etc). Additional information about the content of the data source is available.

I.e. rdf with additional documentation

Accessibility to information

Stage 1. No web access or manual request

Access to information requires a non-automatic approval process for access to data information or to register data in a manual form.

Stage 2. Web Access URL with registration or multiple sources

Access to information via the web, but requires user interaction to select the data source.

Stage 3. Web access or unique URL parameters

Access to information via the web, but allows each of the datasets to be accessed individually, or through a shortened URL, or by specific parameters in the query call.

Stage 4. Web Access URL only or update parameters

Access to information via the web, but allows each of the datasets to be accessed individually, or through a shortened URL, or by specific parameters in the query call and includes the date of last data update.

Stage 5. API or query language

Access to information provides access to specific data of the dataset, either by calling a documented API or through a query language of data sources

(I.e. SPARQL).