The Canadian National Committee for CODATA (CNC/CODATA) is the Canadian voice of CODATA, the Committee on Data for Science and Technology. CODATA is an interdisciplinary Scientific Committee of the International Council for Science (ICSU), which was established 40 years ago.

CODATA works to improve the quality, reliability, management and accessibility of data of importance to all fields of science and technology. CODATA is a resource that provides scientists and engineers with access to international data activities for increased awareness, direct cooperation and new knowledge. CODATA was established in 1966 by ICSU to promote and encourage, on a world-wide basis, the compilation, evaluation and dissemination of reliable numerical data of importance to science and technology.

CODATA is concerned with all types of data resulting from experimental measurements, observations and calculations in every field of science and technology, including the physical sciences, biology, geology, astronomy, engineering, environmental science, ecology and others. Particular emphasis is given to data management problems common to different disciplines and to data used outside the field in which they were generated.

• The improvement of the quality and accessibility of data, as well as the methods by which data are acquired, managed, analysed and evaluated, with a particular emphasis on developing countries
• The facilitation of international cooperation among those collecting, organizing and using data
• The promotion of an increased awareness in the scientific and technical community of the importance of these activities
• The consideration of data access and intellectual property issues

In short, the reason for CODATA is to help foster and advance science and technology through developing and sharing knowledge about data and the activities that work with data. This web site describes Canada's contribution to CODATA.

CNC/CODATA is sponsored by CISTI (the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information), part of the National Research Council of Canada

CNC/CODATA's Terms of Reference