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Data Management
Overview
The data management program is developing the information technology infrastructure and expertise required to share, synthesize, integrate and archive the data and information produced by the Center of Excellence in Oceans and Human Health at Hollings Marine Laboratory and other areas of the laboratory. The complexity of scientific data necessitates an integrated data and information management approach. It is not enough just to make data available. Users need to understand the semantics of the data such as how it was collected, analytical methods, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures. We have developed an integrated data and information management system that will begin to link the different pieces together in a seamless manner. The primary components include a relational database management system, metadata catalog, parameter vocabulary and tools to visualize and analyze data including a Web-GIS environment.
- Our goal is to facilitate the scientific process by providing the tools to identify and access relevant data sources that are of known quality and with a documented lineage.
- Our strategy is driven by research needs, that leverages technology, for handling and distributing information that crosses scientific discipline (domain) boundaries.
Background
The Hollings Marine Laboratory (HML) Data and Information Management group supports the NOAA Center of Excellence for Oceans and Human Health in the development, implementation, and management of data and metadata database systems and other tools. HML data management activities consist of many components including hardware and software, personnel, data and documentation all focused toward facilitating research in support of the OHH project. Scientific monitoring and research efforts focused in Southeastern tidal creeks and estuarine systems have resulted in disparate databases among various federal, state and academic laboratories and institutions. Up to this point, many of these data sets have been analyzed independently by researchers and archived in separate databases with little opportunity for integrated research analyses. These data are valuable, particularly for historical change and environmental trend analyses. We are developing various data and information discovery tools associated with metadata that will provide an opportunity to explore, analyze and export these data. The systems architecture is flexible and will facilitate data discovery, dissemination and archival with a focus on web-based applications. Web-based applications are a preferred method for scientists, agencies, and the public to access the data resources. As Web technologies mature and multidisciplinary data resources become available on-line [e.g., data streams for the Integrated Ocean Observing Systems (IOOS)], increased focus will be placed on integrating disparate data to address environmental issues that influence estuarine and human health.