Prospects for a New Era of Data Transparency in a Shared, Global and Openness World. The Case of Open Scientific Data in Astronomy and Cosmology

Today, we witness growing requests for more information and knowledge. This phenomenon, together with the development of computer networks and information technologies, has kicked off a debate on Open Data. Open Data offers huge benefits such as information accessible to multiple users at low cost; constant reporting on-line; organisational responsibility and performance appraisal; more comprehensible information for users; interaction between Public Administration and citizens. It also could imply some risks related to troubles in accessing data or in database navigability; dispersal or information overload that may affect comprehensibility and usability of data; and an increase in the number of passive rather than active participants. Moreover, communication of data through websites does not guarantee transparency in terms of the ability to generate dialogue and knowledge between data producers and recipients. The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework to interpret and measure the transparency of Open Data, in particular in the field of research data regarding astronomy and cosmology. Because of the characteristics of this science, the application of Open Data concepts raises many questions about what it means to assure openness of space science data and what it means to guarantee scientific data transparency. Based on the Open Universe Initiative, we develop a framework and we identify the attributes that a web-based system should have to ensure comprehensibility and usability of space science data.