Guidelines for Submission of Data & Metadata

Please submit data and metadata files via email to the Information Manager. Special arrangements should be made for data files larger than 5 megabytes.

Datasets

The Harvard Forest Data Archive is organized by dataset. Each dataset contains one or more data files with accompanying metadata (documentation). Datasets vary widely in size and scope. Data files in a single dataset typically share common objectives, methods, study sites, funding, and personnel.

Each dataset is assigned a unique ID number (e.g., HF001). This number serves to identify the dataset for information management purposes and has no ordinal significance.

Metadata

Metadata provide the information required to access, interpret, and use data correctly. Discovery-level metadata enable users to identify, locate, evaluate, and access datasets. Attribute-level metadata enable users to read and interpret individual data files.

Discovery-level metadata. For each dataset, please fill out the HF Discovery Metadata Form on this web page. This information is used to create an EML (Ecological Metadata Language) document for the dataset. It is also used to create the Overview page in the Data Archive.

Attribute-level metadata. For each data file in the dataset, please fill out the HF Attribute Metadata Form on this web page. This information is posted along with the data file on the Data page in the Data Archive.

Data

Each dataset should contain the data necessary to support the published findings and to recreate the original analysis.

Tabular data. The preferred formats for submission are Excel spreadsheets or comma-delimited text files. Please do not use spaces or tabs as delimiters. The first line of each file should contain concise variable names (no embedded spaces). The second line may optionally contain measurement unit abbreviations.

Spatial data. The preferred formats for submission are ArcView or Idrisi files.