Glossary

Data card (datasheet)

A structured document describing a dataset — its sources, collection methods, licensing status, demographics, and known limitations. Buyers read it to judge fit and risk before licensing.

People moving through a city crossing in the evening.

The practice traces to the Datasheets for Datasets proposal, which set the standard questions: why the data was collected, how, from whom, under what consent, with what known gaps. For licensed media, a card typically states hours, speakers, languages, formats, collection dates, consent status, and processing history. It rides alongside the licence as the factual description the warranties point at.

Why it matters

A good data card shortens diligence — buyers can judge fit and risk before the first call.

See also

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