This text reports on the impact of a training course offered by a multiplier trainer from the School of Data network.
In the research landscape, data literacy is not just a basic skill but an essential skill for researchers. Researchers struggle with messy datasets, inconsistent formats, and time-consuming manual cleaning processes. To bridge this challenge a two-day workshop was conducted to train the researchers on the theoretical topics such as the UNESCO Open Science mandate, the concept of data, common data-related issues, the importance of open data, data quality, various data formats, benefits of data sharing, FAIR & CARE principles, and metadata standards, practical hands-on training on installing and using the Open Data editor (ODE) no-code tool, with a focus on its various features for data cleaning and validation.
The offline session discussed the installation of ODE and its different features. Further, some datasets in CSV format were downloaded from www.data.gov.in and imported into ODE to explain the different options available in ODE.
In the online session, Ms. Sara Petti (Projects & Community Manager) discussed about OKFN and its services, followed by the use of ODE.
Further in the session, Dr. Mohit Garg discussed the different aspects of data quality.
In the end, an online quiz using Kahoot was conducted. The quiz consists of multiple-choice questions, puzzles, text-based questions, and true/false questions based on all the content covered in our sessions. The quiz was not just an assessment but a fun learning activity. The prizes were awarded to the three winners, recognizing their engagement and mastery of the material. This gamified approach helped reinforce key concepts while creating a sense of achievement and community among participants.
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.
