Frequently Asked Questions
What is Open Data?
Open Data is the free access, usage, and
sharing of data. Dumfries’ open data portal contains data sets owned and
managed by the town and other organizations, such as Virginia agencies and the Census Bureau. Open Data seeks to spark
innovation, encourage community collaboration, improve transparency, and assist
with data-informed decision-making.
Can anyone view Dumfries's open data?
Yes! Anyone can access and view every data
set made public by the Town of Dumfries. Hit Browse on the top-right, then use
the filters on the left navigation pane to narrow your search by authority,
category, data type, date posted, tags, and federated domains. You can also see
other data in the commonwealth by visiting the Virginia Open Data Portal.
Do I need an account to view data on the
Open Data Portal?
No, you do not need an account to view
data. Anyone can access and download every dataset made public by the Town of
Dumfries. However, you will need to create an account if you want to create
data visualizations and filter data. Creating an account is simple: Sign up here!
What are data stories?
Data stories are a way to simplify and
explain the data found in the open data portal. Data stories are created using
words, photographs, and data visualizations such as charts and maps.
What are datasets?
Datasets (or data sets) are collections of
data. Data is a collection of facts that are used to promote data-driven
decision-making.
What are data measures?
Data measures are quantitative calculations
(sum, average, minimum, maximum).
Could I suggest a new dataset?
Yes! If you haven’t found what you’re looking for or would like to suggest a new dataset, click ‘Suggest a Data Set’ at the bottom of the Open Data homepage.
How do I know when a dataset was last updated?
After selecting a dataset, look for the word 'Updated', under the blue 'View Data' button on the right side of the page, across from the description of the dataset.
I believe I found an error in a dataset.
Where should I report this?
Data quality is our top priority. If you
believe you have found an error, please get in touch
with us.
What fun things can I do using datasets?
Click on a dataset that interests you.
Then, select the blue 'View Data' button on the right side of the page,
across from the description of the dataset. This button will take you to a
table view of the data, like an excel spreadsheet. From here, you can filter
the data to narrow your search. You can also select the 'Visualize' button
to create your data visualizations, including bar graphs, pie charts, maps, and
more.
Creating an account is simple: Sign up here!