A study published in Government Information Quarterly recently noted that government institutions should post open records data online in more digestible ways to avoid turning citizens off. 

Published in October, researchers from Nova Southeastern, Florida International and Arizona State universities found that overexposure to dense, and oftentimes, overwhelming data can decrease individuals’ confidence in their ability to engage in public affairs, despite many respondents stating that overall access to information was empowering. 

“Exposure to open government data is associated with decreased perceived self-efficacy, resulting in lower confidence in participating in public affairs,” the study states. 

The research, based on two rounds of online survey experiments involving over 1,800 participants across the United States, examined how data features like comprehensiveness and transparency impact perceptions. The findings suggest that while open data is intended to inform, it can overwhelm citizens, leading to disengagement. 

“Individuals lacking confidence in their ability to achieve desired outcomes through their actions are often unmotivated to act,” the authors wrote.

The best course of action: make data simple. 

These findings add nuance to ongoing discussions nationally about the role of open data in promoting transparency and democracy. They also showcase the need for further research into how government data can be optimized to empower citizens without creating and expatriating preexisting barriers to engagement. 

Government agencies are still struggling with making relational data easily available to the public, even when required to through public records requests, according to Brechner FOI Project Director David Cuillier. One study published in the Journal of Civic Information, by Jonathan Anderson and Sarah Wiley, showed that a quarter of public universities were unable to provide data when requested.
 

“It’s not enough to just post data online, or even respond adequately to requests,” Cuillier said. “It’s incumbent upon the government to help citizens understand what is posted. That includes simple search functions and easy-to-understand instructions and explanations.”  

The full study is available in Government Information Quarterly, which can be accessed here.  

Posted: January 6, 2025
Category: Brechner News