Wikisym 2012 abstract

Topic: Statistical computing and graphics in Opasnet Mediawiki

Juha Villman
National Institute for Health and Welfare
Department of Environmental Health
Assessment and Modelling Unit
Neulaniementie 4, 70701 Kuopio, Finland
email...

Einari Happonen
National Institute for Health and Welfare
Department of Environmental Health
Assessment and Modelling Unit
Neulaniementie 4, 70701 Kuopio, Finland
email...

Abstract

short description here

Author Keywords

Mediawiki; Open knowledge; Open data; R; Opasnet;

ACM Classification Keywords

H.2.8 Database Management: Scientific databases; H.5.m. Information interfaces and presentation: Miscellaneous; G.3. Probability and statistics: Statistical software

See: http://www.acm.org/about/class/1998/ Mandatory section to be included in your final version.

Introduction to Opasnet

Opasnet is a website (running on Mediawiki) and open workspace for a mass collaboration project that aims to improve societal decision-making. Opasnet is hosted by THL (National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland), The Department of Environmental Health. The original motivation was to improve environmental health assessments and thus decisions related to environment and health. However, as the methods have developed and the project has grown, the scope has been widened to policy-making in any field. One of the major topics in Opasnet is climate change, which is clearly a multi-disciplinary field. Opasnet is based on open participation by anyone interested, free distribution of information, and strict application of the scientific method.

Opasnet is based on the idea that assessments should no longer be done in closed expert groups that produce some static reports that may or may not answer the questions a decision-maker actually has, and that are only as credible as the expert group is. Instead, two improvements are needed. First, an assessment should be built on an explicit information need that is defined by an open deliberation between experts, decision-makers, and stakeholders. Second, everything in the assessment - including premises, data sources, modelling, and conclusions - is open to scientific criticism.

R - statistical computing and integration to Mediawiki

R is a programming language and software environment for statistical computing and graphics that is widely used for statistical and data analysis. It is free software that compiles and runs on a wide variety of UNIX platforms, Windows and MacOS. Off-the-shelf (and through using selected "packages") it is possible to use the software for Monte Carlo simulation, production of complicated graphics (over which the user has complete control) and a host of other applications.

Mediawiki is designed mainly for encyclopedia use so it is good for displaying text and images. Assessments in Opasnet requires also text and images but often we need massive amounts of numerical data and software to run statistical analyses from that data. For that purpose we have developed R-Tools Mediawiki extension.

Demonstration

Demo submissions should provide a setup for the demo, a specific description of what you plan to demo, what you hope to get out of demoing, and how the audience will benefit. A short note of any special technical requirements should be included. Demo submissions will be reviewed based on their relevance to the community.

Technical requirements

Demonstration does not require any special technical requirements. Our system should work on any modern computer and browser with internet access.