Importance of the Open Data Assessment: An Insight Into the (Meta) Data Quality Dimensions

Abstract

Data are the most important resource of the 21st century. The open data (OD) movement provides publicly available data for the development of a knowledge-based society. As such, the concept of OD is a valuable information technology (IT) tool for economic, social, and human development, which adds value. To further develop these processes on a global scale, users need to manage the quality of OD in their practices. Otherwise, what is the point of using data just for the sake of using it (in science or practice) without thinking about data compliance with norms, standards, and so forth? This article aims to provide an overview of (meta)data quality dimensions, sub-dimensions, and metrics used within OD assessment-related research papers. To achieve this, the authors performed a systematic literature review (SLR) and extracted data from 86 relevant studies dealing with the evaluation of OD. The article endows the progress made so far in OD assessment research. Findings of reviewing the assessment of the OD in the light of existing (meta)data quality dimensions unveil the potential of metadata. Furthermore, the analysis disclosed the need for greater use of quantitative methods in research, and metadata can greatly assist in this.