ODI Data Infrastructure, Institutions & Data Access Initiatives

They play an important role, helping to publish, structure and link together data.

The simplest way to generate identifiers is by a serial number.

the Ordnance Survey TOID identifier is a serial number that looks like this: osgb1000006032892. UPRNs are similar.

There are still major efforts needed to continuously improve. More focus needs to be put on measuring internal processes, costs, and components of quality other than accuracy. Documentation needs to be regularly updated, methods for incorporating Big Data developed, and flexibility improved so that adaptive methods based on paradata can be used.

it takes regular management involvement and procedures to be in place for it to succeed

Measurements are vital, but they are not the goal. This will require re-focusing on improving internal processes. It also implies recognizing the need to track costs as a component of quality.

ongoing engineering improvements, product development, design and research, and legal support.

it enables people to contribute data about them to it and, on a case-by-case basis, people can choose to permit third parties to access that data. This is the pattern that many personal data stores and personal data management systems adopt in holding data and enabling users to unlock new apps and services that can plug into it. Health Bank enables people to upload their medical records and other information like wearable readings and scans to share with doctors or ‘loved ones’ to help manage their care; Japan’s accredited information banks might undertake a similar role. Other examples — such as Savvy and Datacoup — seem to be focused on sharing data with market research companies willing to offer a form of payment. Some digital identity services may also conform to this pattern.

it enables people to contribute data about them to it and, on a case-by-case basis, people can choose whether that data is shared with third parties as part of aggregate datasets. OpenHumans is an example that enables communities of people to share data for group studies and other activities. Owners of a MIDATA account can “actively contribute to medical research and clinical studies by granting selective access to their personal data”. The approach put forward by the European DECODE project would seem to support this type of individual buy-in to collective data sharing, in that case with a civic purpose. The concept of data unions advocated by Streamr seeks to create financial value for individuals by creating aggregate collections of data in this way. Although Salus Coop asks its users to “share and govern [their] data together.. to put it at the service of collective return”, it looks as though individuals can choose which uses to put it to.

it enables people to contribute data about them to it and decisions about what third parties can access aggregate datasets are taken collectively. As an example, The Good Data seeks to sell browsing data generated by its users “entirely on their members’ terms… [where] any member can participate in deciding these rules”. The members of the Holland Health Data Cooperative would similarly appear to “determine what happens to their data” collectively, as would drivers and other workers who contribute data about them to Workers Info Exchange.

The auditor's unqualified report contains three paragraphs. The introductory paragraph identifies the financial statements audited, states that management is responsible for those statements, and asserts that the auditor is responsible for expressing an opinion on them. The scope paragraph describes what the auditor has done and specifically states that the auditor has examined the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and has performed appropriate tests. The opinion paragraph expresses the auditor's opinion (or formally announces his or her lack of opinion and why) on whether the statements are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Major types of audits conducted by external auditors include the financial statements audit, the operational audit, and the compliance audit. A financial statement audit (or attest audit) examines financial statements, records, and related operations to ascertain adherence to generally accepted accounting principles. An operational audit examines an organization's activities in order to assess performances and develop recommendations for improvements, or further action. Auditors perform statutory audits which are performed to comply with the requirements of a governing body, such as a federal, state, or city government or agency. A compliance audit has as its objective the determination of whether an organization is following established procedures or rules.

the auditor's final report to management often includes recommendations on methodologies of improving internal controls that are in place.

It provides the following benefits: Competitive advantage: accreditation provides independent assurance that your staff is competent. It can sets you apart from the competition, and enable you to compete with larger organisations. Market access: accreditation is specified by an increasing number of public and private sector organisations. UKAS accreditation is also recognised and accepted globally, therefore opening up opportunities overseas. Accreditation can highlight gaps in capability, thereby providing the opportunity for improved organisational efficiency and outputs There are a number of insurance brokers and underwriters that recognise accreditation as an important factor in assessing risk, and can therefore offer lower premiums.

Organisations can save time and money by selecting an accredited and therefore competent supplier.

Provide an alternative to Regulation whilst ensuring the reliability of activities that have the potential to impact on public confidence, health and safety or the environment.

Second, we need to create open-source structures that allow national and sub-national level health systems to collect and share this precious data in a timely, privacy-preserving manner. Fragile health systems around the world have already been overwhelmed with the tsunami of demand that has arisen from the spread of COVID-19. Everyone racing to create their own solutions to problems negates the need for speed we have in this pandemic. An epidemic somewhere has the potential to become a pandemic everywhere. We need to share tools – both hardware and software – openly and understand that short term gains in one area of the world are meaningless if not shared with other areas that are battling this virus.