Data use policies on state COVID-19 dashboards in the United States: Key characteristics, topical focus, and identifiable gaps

Abstract

In this paper, we report the findings of an investigation into the data use policies published on the COVID-19 dashboards developed by the 50 state governments of the United States as well as the government of District of Columbia. Specifically, we examined the key attributes of the dashboard data notes, such as data source, update frequency, and data suppression disclaimers. We also studied the terms and phrases used, as well as topic themes of the data policy texts. Using a data policy analysis model, our results revealed a series of gaps and inconsistencies in the policy statements. Connecting these gaps and inconsistencies with potential problems that could violate individual Open Data Principles (ODP) and the FAIR principles, we made recommendations to help resolve these missing areas and fix the inconsistencies, so that open government data can be managed and used to further the very core of open data practice. Further research that we plan to carry out includes confirmation and validation of our analysis model and our approach of linking the examination and assessment of open data policy with ODP and the FAIR principles.