Open data is data collected and made available to the public free of charge. You can access this data anywhere, anytime, as long as you have an internet connection. Search in each of the databases of data to find datasets to interpret to support your arguments or analyze to critique validity.
Growing by the day, all data on the following sites are collected, mantained, and digitized through government funds. This information is mandated to be made available to the public in an effort to increase transparency and citizen engagement.
The concept of open data expands into many fields and comes from many sources. To learn more click HERE to the Open Data Handbook, a living document first published in 2010 by Open Knowledge International.