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Ben Lesser, investigative reporting consultant for NJ News Commons, set the stage for a panel on finding public data in New Jersey at Open Data NJ May 15, 2014.
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Data in NJ
Availability
• Data has become more widely searchable and available for download over the last several years but…
• To make the best use of the data you’ll need to develop data analysis skills in a spreadsheet and database environment.
Sources
• Always check the source of the data.
• Remember, all data is bad, so don’t assume the records you search or download are accurate
Where is the data?
• A great deal of NJ related data is already available without filing an open records request.
• Research possible sources for the data before filing request including advocacy groups.
A case study in change
• Port Authority payroll file is now posted regularly and available for download.
• http://www.panynj.gov/corporate-information/employee-payroll-information-2013.cfm
• Years ago the PA denied a Bergen Record request for the same information.
Data you can use today
• Asbury Park Press Data Universe is a good place to start…
• http://www.app.com/section/DATA/DataUniverse
• Other data sites include state contracts, doctor profiles, licensed professionals, public school data, etc.
• Not all can be downloaded.
More data
• Some federal data sites are excellent sources for NJ information including OSHA inspection records, congressional financial disclosure records, nursing home inspection records, federal lobbying data.
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