Information Management Policy

Policy for Submission of Data

The Harvard Forest endorses the LTER Network Data Access Policy which states that research data must be made available online within 2 years of collection and no later than publication of the main findings.

The following guidelines must be followed for all research projects at Harvard Forest:

1. At the start of a new project, the PI must submit discovery-level metadata to the Information Manager for inclusion in the online Data Archive.
2. Discovery-level metadata must be reviewed and updated annually by the PI.
3. Data and attribute-level metadata must be submitted to the Information Manager in the proper format within 2 years of collection. The Director must approve exceptions to this rule. Primary responsibility for data completeness and integrity (quality control) rests with the project PI.

Policy for Use of Data

Harvard Forest online data are freely available for downloading and subsequent use.

Prospective users are requested to:

1. Notify the Information Manager before downloading, identifying the dataset and its intended use.
2. Direct questions about the project or online materials to the designated Contact person.
3. Notify the Contact person of any publication plans.