Simplifying Data Cleaning & Publishing: Highlights from the ODE Workshop in Meerut

A one-day workshop on Ensuring FAIR and High Quality Data using Open Data Editor (ODE) was hosted at Department of Library and Information Science, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University (SVSU), Meerut, India, on 28 June 2025. The Open Data Editor (ODE) is a free and open-source tool developed by OKFN to support researchers in preparing, cleaning, and publishing high-quality open datasets. ODE is simple, and allows both beginners and experienced users to ensure consistency, documentation, and validation of datasets in line with open data standards.

The workshop was conducted in a hybrid mode, with 13 participants joining online from across the country and 77 attending in person at the university campus.The aim of the workshop was to build the capacities of academic professionals, researchers, and librarians in managing research data using open-source tools, so they can become advocates for the Open Data Editor (ODE) within their communities.

The workshop started with an inaugural session graced by Dr. Amar Pratap, Dean Academics and Director Research at SVSU, who shared his reflections on the evolving landscape of research. He emphasized how the accessibility of digital tools has transformed research practices, from an era when few could afford a computer, to the present time when data and digital infrastructure are central to scholarly work. He stressed that high-quality research is rooted in high-quality data, and therefore, efforts toward good data management are essential. Dr. Sudhir Tyagi, Head of the Department of Library and Information Science, highlighted the significance of using open-source software in academic and research environments, drawing attention to their role in promoting inclusivity, transparency, and cost-efficiency.

The workshop featured four well-structured sessions, beginning with an introduction to open data concepts and the FAIR principles. Participants were oriented to the value of metadata, standards, and validation in enhancing the discoverability and reuse of data. Special emphasis was placed on the essential role librarians play as data stewards in academic institutions. This was followed by a detailed demonstration of the Open Data Editor (ODE), including its features, functionalities, and practical on sample datasets. The guided hands-on exercises helped participants to understand the complete data cleaning lifecycle using ODE. Participants were informed about a free MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) titled “Quality and Consistent Data with ODE”, through which they can earn a certificate from the Open Knowledge Foundation (OKFN).

At the end, participants gave feedback about the workshop and the Open Data Editor (ODE). They shared that it was a valuable learning opportunity to understand both the conceptual and practical aspects of open data. Many participants said that ODE is a very useful and easy-to-use tool for improving how they manage data. They appreciated that the tool does not require any coding skills, which made it easy to use for people without a technical background. Participants also found ODE as a helpful tool that can automatically find and report data errors, which supports better data quality.

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About the Open Data Editor

The Open Data Editor (ODE) is Open Knowledge’s new open source desktop application for nonprofits, data journalists, activists, and public servants, aiming at helping them detect errors in their datasets. It’s a free, open-source tool designed for people working with tabular data (Excel, Google Sheets, CSV) who don’t know how to code or don’t have the programming skills to automatise the data exploration process.

Simple, lightweight, privacy-friendly, and built for real-world challenges like offline work and low-resource settings, ODE is part of Open Knowledge’s initiative The Tech We Want — our ambitious effort to reimagine how technology is built and used.

And there’s more! ODE comes with a free online course that can help you improve the quality of your datasets, therefore making your life/work easier.

↪ Take the course: Learn how to use ODE

All of Open Knowledge’s work with the Open Data Editor is made possible thanks to a charitable grant from the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation. Learn more about its funding programmes here.