Visual correlation analysis to explain open government data based on linked-open data for decision making

Public authorities normally consider statistical data about indicators in their decision makings. Such valid kind of data allows an objective observation about indicator developments over time. In case of a significant deviation from the normal indicator level, it is difficult to understand the reasons for upcoming problems. In this article we present an approach that allows an enhanced information gathering through an improved information overview about the depending aspects to such an indicator by considering governmental data-sources that provide also other types of data than just statistics. Even more, our approach integrates a system that allows generating explanations for Open Government Data, especially to specific indicators, based on Linked-Open Data and shows it in graphical form to enable a fast overview gathering. This allows decision-makers to get hints for unexpected reasons of concrete problems that may influence an indicator.