Open data
The FAIR data principles
The FAIR principles, published in Scientific Data in 2016 by Wilkinson and colleagues, describe how to make data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable, by people and by machines.
F
Findable
Data and metadata have globally unique, persistent identifiers and are indexed in a searchable resource.
A
Accessible
They can be retrieved by identifier using a standard, open protocol, with authentication where needed. Metadata stays available even if the data is not.
I
Interoperable
They use formal, shared vocabularies and formats so they can be combined with other data.
R
Reusable
They are richly described, with a clear licence and detailed provenance.
FAIR is not the same as open
FAIR data can be restricted: a clinical dataset can be findable and well described while access is controlled. Open data is about permission; FAIR is about how usable data is. Many collaborative projects aim for both: as open as possible, as closed as necessary.
Work with ex omnia
Contact details for ex omnia will be published here once confirmed.