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.
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:
Requirements for metadata and data transfer vary with the type of research project conducted.
Transfer of raw data files in an open format (i.e., not locked!) is preferred. Acceptable and widely-used formats include:
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.