Utilizing public sources of data
There are all kinds of datasets available for free. With these, collecting data is as simple as asking for it and downloading it. There are all sorts of information out there on any number of topics, free for anyone to use. Some of these free sources are even already clean and organized, just waiting for an analysis to be run.
Public databases
Public databases are databases that legally must be accessible. These fall into one of two categories: government or industry. The majority of public databases are run by government entities. These can be found around the world, sometimes at local and national levels. What information is specifically shared depends on the government entity, but can include information about the following:
- Population
- Agriculture
- Utilities
- Public health concerns
The downside to government-run databases is that, while they are free, they are usually full of missing data and mistakes. This means that...
