2015-04-20-皮尤-Americans_Views_on_Open_Government_Data_66页_1013kb

Summary of "Americans' Views on Open Government Data"

Core Content

This report, published by the Pew Research Center on April 21, 2015, explores public sentiment toward open government data initiatives in the United States. It is based on a survey of 3,212 adults conducted between November 17 and December 15, 2014, through the Pew Research Center's American Trends Panel.

Main Findings

• Public Awareness and Engagement: Most Americans are still engaged in basic "e-Gov 1.0" activities (e.g., renewing licenses, checking facility hours) rather than in more advanced "Data-Gov 2.0" initiatives that involve using open data for deeper government monitoring.
• Use of Government Data: About 65% of Americans have used the internet or an app to find data or information about government in the past year. However, only a small percentage have used government data to monitor performance in areas like schools, hospitals, or contracts.
• Trust and Perception: Trust in government significantly influences how people perceive the benefits of open data. Only 23% of Americans trust the federal government to do the right thing most of the time, which in turn affects their optimism about the impact of open data initiatives.
• Partisan Differences: Democrats are more likely to trust government and see benefits in open data initiatives compared to Republicans. About 31% of Democrats trust the federal government, versus 15% of Republicans.
• Benefits of Open Data: Majorities believe open data can help journalists cover government more thoroughly and improve accountability for officials. However, fewer are optimistic about its impact on government performance or service quality.
• Consumer Use of Data-Driven Apps: A significant portion of Americans use apps that rely on government data, such as weather apps, map apps, and store-finding tools. Despite this, only 9% think government data helps the private sector create new products and services, while 41% think it helps somewhat.
• Public Comfort with Data Sharing: While many are comfortable with government sharing data about public safety, health, and real estate, fewer are comfortable with data about mortgages or personal financial information.
• Demographic Trends: Higher-income households are more likely to use online government tools. About 66% of those with annual incomes over $75,000 have used the internet or apps for government information.
• Public Perception of Government Data Initiatives: The survey identified four distinct groups based on public attitudes and engagement:
  • Ardent Optimists (17%): Strongly support open data and believe it improves government performance and citizen engagement.
  • Committed Cynics (20%): Regularly use government data but are skeptical about its impact.
  • Buoyant Bystanders (27%): See the potential of open data but do not use it much.
  • Dormant Doubters (36%): Least engaged with open data and have low trust in government.

Key Information

• Open Government vs. Open Data: Open Government is a broader concept than Open Data, encompassing transparency, participation, and collaboration. Open Data is a means to achieve these goals.
• Policy and Practice: The Obama administration and various local governments have promoted open data initiatives, emphasizing the importance of public access, machine readability, and timely data sharing.
• Challenges: Public awareness of open data initiatives is low, and many do not see a direct link between open data and improved government performance. There is a potential "chicken-and-egg" dynamic where trust in government influences the perceived value of open data.
• Economic and Civic Benefits: While there is optimism about the economic benefits of open data, such as enabling private-sector innovation, there is also concern about how data might be used in ways that affect individuals directly.

Conclusion

The report highlights that while open data initiatives are growing, public engagement and awareness remain limited. Americans are more comfortable with basic data sharing for routine tasks but are less confident about its broader impact on government performance. The study underscores the importance of trust in shaping public perception and the need for better communication and understanding of the value of open data in both economic and civic contexts.