[Geodata] What is the value of free data?

[Pat Cappelaere]

I would argue that providing data for science research can still be  
measured in terms of value.
How many papers are generated from the data and how much research  
references those papers?

I believe that we do have to measure value even if it is hard.

You can at least measure how much the data is used and how effective  
it is.

Pat.

On Sep 11, 2009, at 6:38 PM, Dave Patton wrote:

> On 2009/09/11 7:57 AM, Pat Cappelaere wrote:
>> It is great to make geodata free.  However, we could get more of it
>> if we could quantify the value of that data. We need to justify the
>> business case.
>
> What is the cost of not doing something?
> How do you measure value?
>
> Here's a "business case": produce the free data or die.
> A bit extreme, but it could be argued that without
> free access to worldwide datasets as well as local data
> researchers may not be able to properly measure effects
> and causes of global warming, and a subsequent lack of
> "answers" may lead to 'the death of the human race'.
>
> Framing the discussions with 'the powers that be' about
> the "cost and value" of the product/service/data within
> the larger context might help some people to look beyond
> their 'local' perspective.
>
> -- 
> Dave Patton
> CIS Canadian Information Systems
> Victoria, B.C.
>
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