Usability and Accessibility of Open Government Data Portals of Countries Worldwide: An Application of TOPSIS and Entropy Weight Method

Abstract

The open government data (OGD) portal is an initiative by governments worldwide to promote transparency and accountability and enhance citizen participation and public value creation. The ability of these portals to deliver the expected benefits depends on their usability and accessibility, besides their content. This study conducts an integrated assessment and comparison of the OGD portals of 75 countries based on their usability and accessibility. The usability of the portals is measured through several technical indicators, classified into performance metrics, browser timings, and optimisation using automated diagnostic tools. Accessibility is evaluated through portals’ conformance to web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG). The ‘technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution’ (TOPSIS) and entropy weight method are used to rank the portals. The findings of this study could be helpful for policymakers and internal stakeholders of OGD initiatives to identify the focus area and make decisions on resource allocation.