Open data products-A framework for creating valuable analysis ready data

Abstract

This paper develops the notion of “open data product”. We define an open data product as the open result of the processes through which a variety of data (open and not) are turned into accessible information through a service, infrastructure, analytics or a combination of all of them, where each step of development is designed to promote open principles. Open data products are born out of a (data) need and add value beyond simply publishing existing datasets. We argue that the process of adding value should adhere to the principles of open (geographic) data science, ensuring openness, transparency and reproducibility. We also contend that outreach, in the form of active communication and dissemination through dashboards, software and publication are key to engage end-users and ensure societal impact. Open data products have major benefits. First, they enable insights from highly sensitive, controlled and/or secure data which may not be accessible otherwise. Second, they can expand the use of commercial and administrative data for the public good leveraging on their high temporal frequency and geographic granularity. We also contend that there is a compelling need for open data products as we experience the current data revolution. New, emerging data sources are unprecedented in temporal frequency and geographical resolution, but they are large, unstructured, fragmented and often hard to access due to privacy and confidentiality concerns. By transforming raw (open or “closed”) data into ready to use open data products, new dimensions of human geographical processes can be captured and analysed, as we illustrate with existing examples. We conclude by arguing that several parallels exist between the role that open source software played in enabling research on spatial analysis in the 90 s and early 2000s, and the opportunities that open data products offer to unlock the potential of new forms of (geo-)data.

Evaluating the Geographical Accessibility and Equity of COVID-19 Vaccination Sites in England

“…Timely analysis of these nature is only possible due to the availability of publicly available data on vaccination site provision, alongside user-friendly and robust tools through which accessibility (in this case journey time) can be measured. Arribas-Bel et al [34] highlighted-at a range of spatial scales ranging from local applications to international comparisons-the importance of high quality, timely and open data related to the COVID-19 response, enabling evidence based-insight. Should more data become available regarding the vaccination programme in England-including vaccination site capacity and appointment availability, or information capturing actual demand-supply interactions (which vaccination sites were used by individuals)-then there is considerable scope to further extend these analyses and enhance the ongoing provision of COVID booster vaccinations.…”

Sensing global changes in local patterns of energy consumption in cities during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…As indicated below, all data were obtained from publicly available sources and organised in the form of an open data package - see Data Availability section. We followed best practices in geographic data science ( Brunsdon & Comber, 2021 ) and produce an open data product ( Arribas-Bel et al, 2021 ), including software code to reproduce or extend our analysis, which is available for download as indicated in the Code Availability section.…”

Sensing Global Changes in Local Patterns of Energy Consumption in Cities During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…As indicated below, all data were obtained from publicly available sources and organised in the form of an open data package -see Data Availability Section. We followed best practices in geographic data science (Brunsdon and Comber, 2021) and produce an open data product (Arribas-Bel et al, 2021), including software code to reproduce or extend our analysis, which is available for download as indicated in the Code Availability Section.…”