Open Data Definition
There are a few definitions of open data, however the most common definitions are:
Definition 1 - Open Data, is research data that:
a. Is freely available on the internet;
b. Permits any user to download, copy, analyse, re-process, pass to software or use for any other purpose; and
c. Is without financial, legal, or technical barriers other than those inseparable from gaining access to the internet itself.
Definition 2 - Open research data: are those research data that can be freely accessed, used, modified, and shared, provided that there is appropriate acknowledgement if required
Benefits of Open Data
The benefits of Open Data:
- Improves the integrity of the scientific and scholarly record;
- Helps ensure we don’t miss breakthroughs;
- Accelerates the pace of discovery;
- Grows the economy; and
- Is becoming recognized by many in the research community as an important part of the research enterprise