Название: Open Data for Everybody: Using Open Data for Social Good
Автор: Nathan Coyle
Издательство: CRC Press
Год: 2024
Страниц: 199
Язык: английский
Формат: pdf (true)
Размер: 10.4 MB

What if I told you something that could empower our third sector and activists to enhance their capacity? From gathering evidence for funding tenders to campaigning for crucial social issues and much more? It's called open data, yet many in social action remain unaware of it. Primarily shaped by corporate entities, open data seems tailored only for technologists, alienating the third sector. But in reality, it's a powerful tool for social change, bolstering civil society, and creating resilient communities.

This book argues a simple point: if open data and the digital aspects that support it aren't accessible to all, then what is the point of it? In an age where technology should be seen as a fundamental human right, it's time to rethink outreach. Deeply rooted in grassroots social activism, this book explores a journey that led to collaborations with governments globally, based on real hands-on work, aiming to democratize open data. Through narrative storytelling, we share insights, best practices, procedures, and community-driven approaches. Regardless of your skill set or organization size, from grassroots workers to third-sector professionals and government officers, join us to reshape the perception of open data, fostering change in neighborhoods.

You probably don’t realize that you are using data right now. Take your phone, for example. Do you check the weather before you leave the house or even on the TV? Perhaps you’ll be looking to move home soon. If you have children, would you check out local schools or transport links? Maybe you’re considering going to university. How will you compare the cost of your course to a different one? If you’re lost, the first thing you’ll probably do is take out your phone and open your GPS map app, right? The possibilities are limitless, from tracking your fitness or weight control to planning which bus or train you’ll take the next morning. The answer to all those questions will most likely involve a website or app that uses data to operate and do its job. It is built on data—data that is changing in real time.

Big Data—sometimes data can get really vast! It is essentially a huge digital repository of information, comprising extensive and intricate datasets that surpass the capacity of conventional data processing tools. It encompasses structured data, often found in databases, as well as unstructured data such as text, images, and real‑time sensor readings collected from diverse sources. To extract valuable insights, detect patterns, and uncover trends within these massive datasets, organizations leverage advanced analytical techniques and cutting‑edge technologies. Across diverse sectors such as healthcare, finance, marketing, and logistics, Big Data serves as a pivotal asset for making informed decisions, optimizing operations, and gaining a competitive edge in our data‑centric era.

Big Data serves as a powerful tool across a diverse array of industries, revolutionizing the way they operate. In pharmaceuticals, it plays a crucial role in crafting individualized treatment strategies. Meanwhile, in the retail sector, Big Data drives the creation of personalized product recommendations and ensures efficient inventory management. Finance relies on it for credit risk evaluation and the execution of algorithmic trading. Beyond these and sometimes blue‑chip sectors, Big Data’s reach extends to traffic management, crime analysis, and energy conservation, to name a few. It helps make informed decisions, elevate their products, and streamline processes, plus, thanks to its powerful enough software to crunch and store it, it is expensive. However, it’s important to note that harnessing the potential of Big Data often requires delving into Data Science, which might be less accessible for entry‑level individuals without a specific interest in grabbing your lab coat.

Open Data for Everybody: Using Open Data for Social Good is a love letter to open data's transformative power. To create solutions, understanding the problem is crucial. This book seeks to return control to the real experts―those living and working within our communities.