Today we want to share three more new primers published by the DCN! This time, we have three on essential topics for data curators: an Accessibility Checklist, Data and Code Licensing, and OpenRefine
Accessibility checklist
Brandie Pullen, in collaboration with Rachel Woodbrook, authored this new checklist provides a quick-start approach to help data curators ensure the materials they are helping provide access to are as accessible as possible. In this checklist, an addition to the previously published “Accessibility Data Primer,” the suggestions are divided by file type: text, tabular, code, images, maps, and data visualizations.
Data and Code Licensing
Written by Lisa Chinn, Matthew Murray 🦇, and Isaac Wink, this primer provides an overview of the different types of licenses often applied to code and data, including the important considerations that affect how data and code can be shared, used, and reused. A particularly useful section advises curators on how to avoid giving legal advice while still supporting researchers.
OpenRefine
The OpenRefine primer is a tool-based primer that is intended to describe how data curators can use this freely-available software in their own curation practice. Written by Heather Charlotte Owen, Aditi Thite, and Peyton Tvrdy, this primer provides in-depth information on how to launch and use OpenRefine, essential functions, and preservation actions. The authors wrote about their experience writing this primer for the DCN blog.
Primer Library
With these six additions in 2024, our primer library has grown substantially in both breadth and depth. We now have 47 primers that are freely available for anyone to use. While our collection is expanding annually, we’d love to know if we’re missing any. Are there any formats you see often that you’d like to write about? Or maybe a new format you want to see a primer on? Let us know through our contact form.