beginner pathway
Open Data Civic Lab
Learn how to identify, admit and explain public datasets without confusing access with reuse rights.
Download course manifest
Open Versus Viewable
A dataset is not open merely because a browser can view it. Open-data work records the publisher, license, version, sensitivity and intended use before download, redistribution, indexing or training.
Exercise
Pick a data portal and write the questions you must answer before mirroring one dataset.
Assessment
What is the difference between viewable and open?
Open use depends on a license or legal basis that permits the intended reuse.
Sources
- Data.gov — U.S. General Services Administration
API Sample Before Bulk Download
Responsible ingestion starts with a small, documented sample. The sample proves schema, rate limits, licensing notes and expected size before storage and compute are committed.
Exercise
Write a tiny dataset admission plan for one table, including fields, expected rows and license question.
Assessment
Why sample before bulk acquisition?
A sample reduces storage, privacy, schema and rights risk before a full ingestion.
Sources
Dataset Card With Provenance
A dataset card is the memory of why a dataset was admitted. It records what the data is, who published it, how it was transformed, where it is stored, and which uses are allowed or blocked.
Exercise
Create a dataset-card outline for one public indicator or table.
Assessment
What should happen when a dataset license is unclear?
Ambiguous rights must be quarantined until reviewed.
Sources
Final mini-project
Write one dataset card for a public source and mark every unknown permission honestly.