Data documentation
Definition
Written materials—README files, data dictionaries, methodology notes—that explain how to use data.
Why it matters
Documentation turns opaque columns into accountable evidence.
Example
A PDF methods appendix for a national health survey.
Related terms
Related resources
- W3C Data on the Web Best Practices (opens in new tab)
Standards-oriented checklist for publishing usable, documented datasets.
- Eurostat Statistics Explained glossary (opens in new tab)
Plain-language definitions aligned with official European statistics.