Open Data Explorer, the search for knowledge in the open data jungle

Abstract

Due to the increase of the massive network–connected devices, the data deluge has brought to the development of a current named data revolution. This movement, based on knowledge sharing through the paradigm of open data, led to the boost of open government data initiatives. The process is accompanied by a number of critical issues related to data quality, the ability to reuse the data and information retrieval. Starting with an accurate analysis of the operational and methodological literature, Authors emphasize the lack of a unified, shared and effective search engine for the open data. Open Data Explorer–ODE, was born as a possible solution for the mentioned flaw. The portal interfaces with the platform dati.gov.it (the most important initiative in Italy concerning the Opengov phenomenon) and provides a tool to those who approach this complex world, in order to select quality datasets with well-defined standards allowing reuse for statistical purposes.