An Integrated Usability Framework for Evaluating Open Government Data Portals: Comparative Analysis of EU and GCC Countries

Core Concepts

Developing an integrated framework to evaluate open government data portals focusing on user diversity, collaboration, and data exploration.

Abstract

This study introduces an integrated usability framework for evaluating open government data (OGD) portals. It explores the critical role of OGD portals in fostering transparency and collaboration between stakeholders. The framework accommodates user diversity, evaluates collaboration, participation, and data understandability. By applying the framework to 33 national portals across EU and GCC countries, it ranks OGD portals, identifies best practices, and common shortcomings. The study highlights the competitive nature of GCC OGD portals and emphasizes areas for improvement like multilingual support and data understandability. Overall, the research contributes to accelerating the development of user-friendly, collaborative, sustainable OGD portals while addressing gaps identified in previous research.

Stats

European Commission’s Open Data Maturity Report found that 13 EU countries scored 90% or above on portal dimension.
Study developed a framework based on Systematic Literature Review (SLR) supplemented by portal examinations.
Framework tested on a sample of 33 national OGD portals across EU and GCC countries.
Developed framework consists of nine dimensions divided into 72 sub-dimensions.
Top performers in various dimensions include France, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Portugal, Croatia.

Quotes

"Open government data is the practice of making government data available to the public for use in response to public demand."
"The findings underscore the growing trend of exposing data quality metrics."
"Greater engagement means closer interaction between data sources, producers, and consumers."
"The goal is to assist governments in becoming more responsible and transparent in storing, accessing, analyzing, and sharing data."

Key Insights Distilled From

An Integrated Usability Framework for Evaluating Open Government Data Portals

by Fillip Molod... at arxiv.org 03-14-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2403.08451.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How can open government data portals improve multilingual support for users?

To enhance multilingual support on open government data (OGD) portals, several strategies can be implemented. Firstly, portals should prioritize offering the interface and content in multiple languages to cater to a diverse user base. This includes ensuring that dataset search functionalities are available in different languages. Additionally, implementing machine-translated metadata can help bridge language barriers for users who may not be proficient in the portal's primary language.
Furthermore, incorporating features like language-specific guides or tutorials can assist users in navigating the portal effectively. Providing options for users to filter datasets based on their preferred language can also enhance the overall user experience. Collaborating with translation services or utilizing plugins for automatic translation can streamline the process of making portal content accessible in various languages.

How are some innovative ways to enhance user engagement on OGD portals?

User engagement is crucial for the success of OGD portals as it fosters collaboration and participation among stakeholders. To enhance user engagement innovatively, portals can introduce gamification elements such as badges, rewards, quizzes, or competitions related to data exploration and utilization. These interactive features not only make the portal more engaging but also incentivize users to interact with datasets creatively.
Moreover, incorporating social media integration within the portal allows users to share interesting findings or insights from datasets with a broader audience. Implementing notification systems that alert users about new datasets or updates relevant to their interests keeps them actively involved and informed about recent developments on the platform.
Additionally, enabling community-sourced data contributions where users can upload use-cases or citizen-generated data promotes a sense of ownership and collaboration within the OGD ecosystem. By encouraging feedback mechanisms through comment sections or forums at both dataset and portal levels, portals create avenues for meaningful interactions between publishers and consumers of data.

How can cross-regional collaborations strengthen political and economic ties through open data initiatives?

Cross-regional collaborations play a vital role in strengthening political and economic ties through open data initiatives by promoting information sharing and mutual cooperation among countries. By partnering with neighboring regions or international counterparts on OGD projects, governments demonstrate transparency and commitment towards fostering collaborative relationships.
Through cross-border collaborations on OGD initiatives, countries exchange best practices, share valuable insights from diverse perspectives, and work towards common goals such as improving governance efficiency or driving innovation across borders. This shared knowledge enhances trust between nations while facilitating joint efforts towards addressing global challenges collectively.
Furthermore,
cross-regional collaborations enable countries to leverage each other's strengths
and resources efficiently,
leading
to enhanced interoperability
and harmonization of standards.
By aligning their open
data policies
and practices,
countries pave way for seamless exchange of information,
which ultimately contributes
to building stronger political alliances
and fostering sustainable economic growth across regions.
These collaborative endeavors showcase unity
in diversity
while reinforcing diplomatic relations
and promoting socio-economic development globally.