Describe the data

It is essential that organisations describe their data in online portals so that it is available to other parties.

The metadata of the data described in the portals makes it possible for data users to:

1. find data
2. understand their purpose
3. know how to utilise them.

Without metadata, it may be impossible to utilise data. In the worst case scenario, data that lacks metadata, which indicates what the data is related to, how it was generated and in what form it is in, is useless.

Read up on how to know when data is described well on the Map data format and quality page of this guide.

The interoperability platform’s tools comprise

• the Terminologies toolOpens in a new window.
• the Reference Data toolOpens in a new window.
• the Data Vocabularies toolOpens in a new window..

Read more about the tools on the Ensure Semantic Interoperability page.

When your organisation publishes data in Suomi.fi Open Data as open data, you must describe the datasets and their related APIs.

The description includes:

• what kind of information the dataset contains
• how the data has been collected
• how the data can be used
• the quality of data
• data license and terms of use
• period of validity of the data
• instructions on the use of the API.

Read the instructions for compiling descriptions in the instructions for adding data (avoindata.fi, in Finnish).Opens in a new window.

Your organisation should communicate about the data that it has opened so that potential users can be made aware of it. Only in this way can the opening of data lead to shared benefits.

Take the following into consideration in communications and marketing:

• The main target groups, and the communications channels through which you can reach them
• Describe information at a general level but in a sales-oriented and descriptive manner in communications

Read more about communication related to opening data at the Operating model for sharing data page (avoindata.fi)Opens in a new window..

Once you have joined the Suomi.fi Data Exchange Layer and added your dataset for utilisation through it, describe your organisation and the dataset's data in the API Catalogue.

The API Catalogue's description data includes e.g.

• what data the dataset contains
• what conditions and limitations apply to the use of the dataset
• how and under what conditions the dataset can be accessed.

Read more about the Suomi.fi API Catalogue.Opens in a new window.

Data Governance Act (DGA)Opens in a new window. obliges public sector actors

• describe their data, which falls within the scope of the Act, in the Suomi.fi protected data serviceOpens in a new window..
• describe in the service how and under what conditions the data produced by the organisation can be accessed.

Read more about the description of data in the Suomi.fi Restricted Data service on the Pay attention of laws and provisions page.