I.2 Policy Arguments Favoring Data Access

The new law allowing certain public access to data produced with federal funds stems from both concepts of good governance and the intention to benefit the scientific enterprise. Access to data used in federal decision making reflects community right-to-know principles and provides the public with a better opportunity to participate in democratic government. At the same time, scientific conclusions are held to a higher degree of analytical scrutiny, resulting in outcomes more fit to serve as the basis of public policy. The following section addresses some of these basic points.