In April of this year, Open Data Watch will commence the 5th Open Data Inventory (ODIN). This year’s ODIN will feature much of the same features from previous editions with a few new updates outlined below.
- Research starts sooner
In previous years research commenced in June, meaning any datasets published by the end of August were considered in the assessment. This year research commences on April 15th, making June 15th the cutoff date for any datasets considered in their country’s assessment.
- New category on food security and nutrition
We’re pleased to announce that a twenty-second data category will be added to ODIN. The category, Food Security & Nutrition, will feature five new indicators: prevalence of undernourishment, moderate or severe food insecurity, obesity, stunting, and wasting.
- A few added indicators in other categories
Other than the addition of five new indicators under food security and nutrition, we’ve also added indicators in a few other categories: GDP (income approach), Commodity production, energy supply, number of rooms or bedrooms, access to electricity, and data on housing construction materials.
- We’re giving the ODIN website an update
Do you use the ODIN website and particularly the country profiles? Fill out this survey to let us know how we can improve our website to fit your needs. When the next ODIN is released, we’ll incorporate your feedback on our new site.
- Greater overlap between SDG indicators and ODIN
We’re expanding our list of substitute indicators for ODIN by ensuring that more SDG indicators can act as replacements, when appropriate.
- Stricter metadata requirements
Open data isn’t just about making data available, but also making sure that data is accessible. Countries that publish their metadata in multiple locations on their website, without providing an intuitive path for users to find it, will be penalized.
- New guidelines for bulk downloads in data portals
ODIN defines bulk download differently than many others, giving credit for this feature if a timeseries of a single indicator is available to download in bulk (so long as it includes all geographic and categorical disaggregations ODIN requires). Now, countries that provide expansive statistical offerings within data portals will no longer be penalized for requiring users to register to download these expansive datasets in bulk due to bandwidth or other technical issues. However, it is still best practice to inform users why registration is required for this feature and to only require the bare minimum amount (name and email) during the registration process, as well as provide immediate access.
To read the full list of ODIN 2020 data categories, indicators, and required categorical disaggregations, click here.
