Introduction

Open Data and Data Portals for Research Use Training Course is a comprehensive program designed to empower researchers, data analysts, and policy makers with the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize open data for impactful research and decision-making. As open data continues to revolutionize how public information is accessed and analyzed, this course explores practical tools, global data portals, and strategic data sourcing methods. By focusing on open government data, FAIR principles, metadata standards, and open-access platforms, participants will gain actionable insights to enhance data-driven research capabilities.

This hands-on course is ideal for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of data governance, transparency, and research reproducibility through open data ecosystems. Learners will engage with top-tier platforms like World Bank Open Data, OpenAIRE, CKAN, data.gov, and more. Through real-life case studies and interactive modules, participants will master how to discover, assess, download, clean, and reuse datasets for scholarly and institutional research—ensuring their research remains robust, verifiable, and globally aligned with best practices in open science.

Programme Curriculum

Open Data and Data Portals for Research Use Training Course

Introduction

Course Objectives

Understand the fundamentals of open data and its value in research.
Explore key global and national open data portals.
Apply the FAIR data principles to ensure data is findable and reusable.
Evaluate the quality and reliability of open data sources.
Learn metadata standards and open data documentation.
Use APIs and bulk downloads from open data repositories.
Integrate open data into qualitative and quantitative research.
Apply data visualization techniques to open datasets.
Address legal and ethical issues in open data use.
Analyze open government data to inform policy.
Enhance collaboration through data sharing platforms.
Develop reproducible research workflows using open data.
Gain practical experience with real-world open data case studies.

Target Audiences

Academic researchers and scholars
Government policy analysts
Data journalists
Research data managers
University faculty and students
Nonprofit and development professionals
ICT and data engineers
Librarians and information scientists

Course Duration: 10 days

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Open Data

Definition and benefits of open data
Historical evolution and global movements
Principles of openness and transparency
Key stakeholders in the open data ecosystem
Challenges and opportunities
Case Study: The Impact of Open Data in COVID-19 Research

Module 2: FAIR Principles in Open Data

Overview of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable)
Implementing FAIR in academic research
Tools for assessing FAIRness
FAIR-compliant metadata tools
Global standards and initiatives
Case Study: FAIR Implementation at European Open Science Cloud

Module 3: Global Open Data Portals

Top open data portals (World Bank, UN, data.gov)
Portal navigation and data discovery
Comparing portal capabilities
Downloading and analyzing datasets
Portal-specific documentation
Case Study: Using World Bank Open Data for Policy Analysis

Module 4: National and Regional Portals

Overview of national portals (e.g., Kenya Open Data, India Data Portal)
Localization of data and use cases
Sector-specific datasets
Data extraction and preprocessing
Linking national data with global indicators
Case Study: Kenyan Open Data for Health Research

Module 5: Metadata Standards and Interoperability

Key metadata schemas (DCAT, Dublin Core)
Role of metadata in open data ecosystems
Interoperability best practices
Data citation standards
Machine-readable formats
Case Study: Metadata in Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX)

Module 6: Open Government Data (OGD)

Definition and value of OGD
Laws and policies enabling OGD
Public sector data publication workflow
Civic tech and data journalism
Public-private partnerships
Case Study: Open Government Data in Estonia

Module 7: Open Data Ethics and Licensing

Legal considerations and open licenses (ODC, Creative Commons)
Privacy and data protection
Ethical data use in research
Sensitive data and anonymization
License compatibility and reuse conditions
Case Study: GDPR and Open Data Use in the EU

Module 8: Data Extraction and APIs

Accessing data via APIs
Tools and languages for API access (Python, R)
Handling large datasets
Real-time data retrieval
Authentication and access limits
Case Study: Using CKAN API for Environmental Data

Module 9: Data Cleaning and Preparation

Data wrangling with open tools
Managing missing or inconsistent data
OpenRefine and other open-source tools
Preprocessing techniques for research
Exporting data for analysis
Case Study: Preprocessing Open Data for Climate Studies

Module 10: Data Visualization and Storytelling

Visualizing open data with open tools
Charting tools and dashboards
Infographics for policy communication
Data storytelling techniques
Interactive web tools (Tableau Public, Flourish)
Case Study: Visualizing Public Education Data

Module 11: Integrating Open Data into Research

Mapping research questions to open data sources
Combining open data with proprietary datasets
Case-based research models
Interdisciplinary applications
Reporting and publication support
Case Study: Open Data in Public Health Research

Module 12: Reproducible Research Workflows

Version control and documentation
Open-source tools for reproducibility (Jupyter, RStudio)
Data pipelines
Collaborative research practices
Transparent data sharing
Case Study: Reproducibility in Social Science Research

Module 13: Evaluating Open Data Quality

Quality assessment frameworks
Criteria: completeness, accuracy, timeliness
Data reliability checks
Benchmarking against global datasets
Feedback and reporting mechanisms
Case Study: Evaluating Food Security Data

Module 14: Data Sharing and Collaboration

Platforms for collaborative open research
Research data repositories
Building research communities
Role of preprints and open peer review
Institutional repositories
Case Study: Zenodo and Data Sharing in H2020 Projects

Module 15: Capstone Project: Applying Open Data

Defining a research problem
Selecting datasets
Performing analysis
Visualizing results
Preparing a research brief
Case Study: Final Projects Showcasing Multi-Sectoral Use

Training Methodology

Interactive lectures and guided tutorials
Hands-on practical exercises and tool demos
Real-world datasets for case study work
Group projects and peer reviews
Self-paced modules with instructor feedback
Access to digital resource toolkit and templates

Bottom of Form

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@fineskilltrainingcenter.org or call +254769199797

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to Fineskill Training Center account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.

Skills & Software Covered

Open data platforms data accessibility portal management

Programme Fee

Duration: 10 Days

Method: Online or Physical

Online Price: $2,000

Physical Price: $3,000

Certification: Accredited Certificate

View Available Dates 📄 Download Course Outline (PDF)

Available Sessions

Location

Month

Year

Oct 19 2026

19 Oct — 30 Oct 2026

💻 Online / Virtual session

Online $2,000