Metadata and Data Transfer

Principal investigators who have completed NPRB-funded research are required to provide datasets and metadata records for all data collected under NPRB grants. 

You will work with the NPRB Data Systems Manager (907-644-6711) throughout the transfer. He is also available throughout your project to answer your metadata or data storing/format-related questions.

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

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 of data inputs, modeling code and modeling output to NPRB is required.

What file formats are acceptable for transferring?

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

• Microsoft Office formats (MS Word (.doc), MS Excel (.xls), MS Access (.mbl) and MS PowerPoint (.ppt))
• 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?

Generaly acceptable metadata file should be in xml that follows 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