gögnum

Gögnum is the Icelandic term for data, information, and records. It refers to collected facts that describe entities, events, or processes and can exist in digital form as datasets and databases or in physical form as documents and files. In everyday and formal use, gögn covers material that can be stored, processed, and analyzed to support decisions, research, or administration.

In Icelandic, gögn is a plural noun. The form gögnum is one inflected variant used in different grammatical contexts, for example when indicating source, possession, or relation in a sentence. The term is widely used across sectors such as government, business, academia, and journalism to denote the raw material of information work.

Applications and types commonly include numerical data, text records, multimedia files, and metadata that describe datasets. Data management practices focus on collection, storage, organization, and quality control, as well as on ensuring accessibility and interoperability between information systems. Metadata, data formats, and data governance are important aspects of working with gögn, especially in research and administration.

Privacy and ethical considerations are central to handling gögn that contain personal or sensitive information. Data protection laws and principles of consent, minimization, and anonymization guide responsible processing. As Iceland is part of the European Economic Area, GDPR-aligned standards influence how gögn are collected, stored, and shared in both public and private sectors.