Information Management at the Niwot Ridge LTER

Three general types of data are recognized by Niwot Ridge LTER data management personnel. These data are archived in their least manipulated form, and all subsequent processing is performed on copies of these files.

Strategies of the current data management program:

• Design and manufacture of field and laboratory data collection forms
• all weather writing paper for field forms.
  
• Design on-screen forms for manual entry of data, using
  
  • rekey verification (double entry),
  • range restrictions,
    
  • table lookup,
    
  • field duplication, and
    
  • field defaults.
    
• Develop Unix shell scripts and Visual Basic programs for final processing of both manually entered and electronic data.
  
• Use standardized protocols for archiving both raw & modified, manually entered and electronic, data.
  
• Make frequent (daily to weekly) backups of all data management laboratory computers.
  
• Use the source code control system (SCCS), as well as file and directory permissions, to prevent unauthorized modification and to maintain a complete record of authorized modifications to data files.
  
• Maintain up-to-date, detailed documentation (both hard-copy & electronic) for all data management laboratory protocols (including complete listings of all scripts and programs).
  
• Create user "accounts" for any NWT LTER researchers so that they can access all centrally archived data files.
  
• Maintain NWT LTER WWW server to provide access to metadata for all centrally archived data files, as well as access to non-proprietary data.
  

Data Access

Data Policy