3 ms·

This strikes me as a Wikipedia Article type caveat. Sure the warning applies to certain categories of article/data, namely the ones where people are jockeying t

by NoToP 3y ago

This strikes me as a Wikipedia Article type caveat. Sure the warning applies to certain categories of article/data, namely the ones where people are jockeying to have the authority of an encyclopaedia / data to reinforce their political stance, but on any sort of non political topic neutrality is a non issue. I fully anticipate that say, police and crime data by demographic shouldn't be trusted. Other data, like say pounds of recycled garbage collected per census tract, is probably fine.

chaps 3y ago
I mean, sure? I'm very much saying this for police datasets, where for example, a "crime" database might not include homicide information. And no, I don't think it's fair to say that the amount of pounds of recycled garbage collected per census tract would be remotely accurate. Too many private companies with private incentives. Just a taste, for example: https://www.wbez.org/stories/bga-investigation-reveals-major-problems-with-recycling-in-chicago/584f1a9b-2177-43e4-b881-d3f5527fca64 https://www.wbez.org/stories/bga-investigation-reveals-major...
- toomuchtodo 3y ago
  What FOIA request methodologies would you recommend to ensure you’re getting the most comprehensive data possible out of an agency or government body response?
  - chaps 3y ago
    One of the most productive things I've seen is to request for "data sufficient to show" rather than describing the data you're looking for. That way you have a bit more wiggle room in the space of interpretation. Another way is to just look up forms ("filetype:pdf site:yourmunicipality.gov" in google works wonders) that are online -- if filled out reports have text filled in by a computer, then that information was likely filled into a database, and the form you're looking at is a product of a multitude of SQL queries. In Illinois, Hites v. Waubonese compels an agency to run a SQL query if data is represented in a database, so being explicit about the existence of that law can be helpful. I'm sure similar can be said about other states. Also, be sure to explicitly request your data in an excel compatible format (some states legally require it). Also, have a look at the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of Press's FOIA guides per-state. https://www.rcfp.org/open-government-guide/ https://www.rcfp.org/open-government-guide/
    - toomuchtodo 3y ago
      Incredibly helpful, thanks for the reply. These tips will make their way into my requests immediately.
      - chaps 3y ago
        Anytime!

by NoToP 3y ago

chaps 3y ago

I mean, sure? I'm very much saying this for police datasets, where for example, a "crime" database might not include homicide information. And no, I don't think it's fair to say that the amount of pounds of recycled garbage collected per census tract would be remotely accurate. Too many private companies with private incentives. Just a taste, for example: https://www.wbez.org/stories/bga-investigation-reveals-major-problems-with-recycling-in-chicago/584f1a9b-2177-43e4-b881-d3f5527fca64 https://www.wbez.org/stories/bga-investigation-reveals-major...

toomuchtodo 3y ago
What FOIA request methodologies would you recommend to ensure you’re getting the most comprehensive data possible out of an agency or government body response?
- chaps 3y ago
  One of the most productive things I've seen is to request for "data sufficient to show" rather than describing the data you're looking for. That way you have a bit more wiggle room in the space of interpretation. Another way is to just look up forms ("filetype:pdf site:yourmunicipality.gov" in google works wonders) that are online -- if filled out reports have text filled in by a computer, then that information was likely filled into a database, and the form you're looking at is a product of a multitude of SQL queries. In Illinois, Hites v. Waubonese compels an agency to run a SQL query if data is represented in a database, so being explicit about the existence of that law can be helpful. I'm sure similar can be said about other states. Also, be sure to explicitly request your data in an excel compatible format (some states legally require it). Also, have a look at the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of Press's FOIA guides per-state. https://www.rcfp.org/open-government-guide/ https://www.rcfp.org/open-government-guide/
  - toomuchtodo 3y ago
    Incredibly helpful, thanks for the reply. These tips will make their way into my requests immediately.
    - chaps 3y ago
      Anytime!