Dictionary of data terms

This section aims to break down some terms that may be unfamiliar to you, if you are new to data publishing

• User-centric - Putting the needs of, and engagement with, the people you want to create value for at the heart of your work with data.

• Data publisher - A person or organisation which makes data available online, for others to access and use.

• Data user - A person or organisation which creates information from data – in the form of products and services, analyses and insights, or stories and visualisations.

• Data stewardship - The act of collecting, maintaining and sharing data.

• Data ethics - A branch of ethics that evaluates data practices with the potential to impact on people and society – in data collection, sharing and use.

• Data infrastructure - Data assets, standards and technologies, guidance and policies, and organisations and communities that support and maintain data.

• Data landscape - A specific market, sector, or community and the data infrastructure it houses.

• Data access initiative - Organisations which design and deliver projects or programmes of work which focus on collecting, using, sharing or publishing data with the aim of addressing a common social, environmental or economic challenge.