Evergreen notes and applied theory

Small Data Ethics

For the professional who has to explain a wrong outcome to a real person

By Laini Byfield

Policy

Policies and standards provide guardrails — Small Data Ethics uses them as the minimum, not the finish line.

MinimisationTransparencyPurpose limitationGovernance tools

Policy toolkit

GDPR data minimisation

Collect what is necessary — reduce re-identification and misuse creep in small systems.

Jisc learning analytics code

A practical code of practice — useful for any monitoring or participation scoring.

ODI canvases

Lightweight planning tools that force the right questions early and repeatedly.

How Small Data Ethics extends policy

  • Policy often emphasizes legality and privacy. Small Data Ethics additionally emphasizes fairness, incentives, and repair.
  • Compliance can be achieved while harm still occurs. The operational goal is not "compliant" — it is "defensible, explainable, and correctable."