Metadata  and Data

What is metadata?

Metadata describes your data -- the who, what, where, when, why, and how, along with any other information that other people need to understand and use the data. Examples include:

• Conservation studies of long-nosed bats in New Mexico - Mist netting data
• Classified RADARSAT image depicting winter shorebird habitat in the Willamette Valley, OR
• North Coast and Cascades Network consolidated amphibian database (1984-2005)
• San Francisco Bay - 1956 Habitat

 

NPRB Metadata and Data Policy

The metadata from all NPRB funded projects are made available to the public generally within six months after the project is completed.  Data files are also archived with NPRB when projects are complete, but do not become public for two years (researchers may make special requests for a longer archive period).

How do I get metadata and data from completed NPRB Projects?

To access the metadata and data files from completed NPRB projects, click on the “Projects” button above and navigate to the project of interest.  If the metadata and data files are available for the project, a link to these files will appear on the left hand side of your screen.

Or, if you’d like to peruse metadata for all completed NPRB projects, visit the USGS Core Science Metadata Clearinghouse, where all NPRB metadata files are stored.

I’ve completed an NPRB project.  What are the metadata and data file reporting requirements?

Principal investigators who have completed NPRB-funded research are required to provide datasets and metadata records for all data collected under NPRB grants.  The final 10% of funds for your completed project will not be released until these files have been received and approved by NPRB.

Our NPRB Data Systems Manager Igor Katrayev (907-644-6711; igor.katrayev@nprb.org) is available to assist you throughout the transfer. He is also available throughout your project to answer your metadata or data storage/format-related questions.

What data and metadata must I provide?

Requirements for metadata and data transfer vary with the type of research project conducted:

• If data are collected or generated: NPRB requires the transfer of all data and its associated metadata.
• If third-party datasets are used in the NPRB-funded project: Only the transfer of the metadata associated with the third party data is required.
• If third party data are modified for use in the NPRB-funded project: Metadata associated with the third-party data is required in addition to the modified dataset and the associated metadata.
• If the project is a modeling project: Transfer data and metadata for data input files, modeling code and modeling output is required.

 

What file formats are acceptable for transferring?

Transfer of data files in an open format (i.e., not locked!) is required.  Acceptable and widely-used formats include:

• Microsoft Office formats (MS Excel (.xls), MS Access (.mbl) Adobe formats (Acrobat (.pdf) and Photoshop (.psd)). 
• Other acceptable open format file types are CSV, TIFF, RTF and OpenOffice.

 

What formats are acceptable for metadata files?

Generally acceptable metadata files should be in XML that follows Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) schema. NPRB has adopted the Biological Profile of the FGDC standard as the core of its Data Strategy. More information could be found here: Geospatial Metadata Standards

Contact our Data Systems Manager if you have any questions about data file format and how to best transfer files to NPRB.

Create Your Project Metadata