Slide Template for Module 2: Types, Formats, and Stages of Data

Learner Objectives Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats 1. Explain what research data is and the range of data types 2. Identify stages of research data 3. Identify common potential storage formats for data 4. Identify relevant quality control techniques/technical standards 5. Identify methods of recording data that are specific to students’ disciplines and research interests 6. Define data collection recording policies/procedures for students’ research

Research Data Associated with Most Disciplines Images Video Mapping/GIS data Numerical measurements Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Research Data Associated with Social Sciences survey responses focus group and individual interviews economic indicators demographics opinion polling Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Research Data Associated with Hard Sciences measurements generated by sensors/laboratory instruments computer modeling simulations observations and/or field studies specimen Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Stages of Data Related to Research Data Life Cycle Raw Data Processed Data Analyzed Data Finalized/Published Data Existing Data across Different Sources Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Stages of Data Related to Research Data Life Cycle Sample hypothesis: Water temperatures in Lake Superior are now significantly warmer than in previous years. The evidence lends support to global warming. Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Using our sample hypothesis Water temperatures in Lake Superior are now significantly warmer than in previous years. This evidence lends support to global warming. Raw Data = daily lake temperatures Processed Data = ‘cleaned’ temp. data in spreadsheet Analyzed Data = average temps., graphing changes Finalized Data = does data support the hypothesis? Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Preferable Format Types for Long- Term Access to Data Data formats that offer the best chance for long- term access are both: Non-proprietary (also known as open), and Unencrypted and uncompressed Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Preferred Formats Examples of preferred formats for various data types include: Moving Images: MOV, MPEG Audio: WAVE, MP3 Numbers/statistics: ASCII, SAS Images: TIFF, JPEG 2000 Text: PDF/A, ASCII Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Converting to Preferable Formats Information can be lost when converting file formats. To mitigate the risk of lost information: Note conversion steps taken If possible, keep the original file as well as the converted one Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Describing Data, Documenting Reliability & Collection Techniques Data documentation explains the: Who What Where When And why of data. Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Describing Data, Documenting Reliability & Collection Techniques Who: Who collected this data? Who or what were the subjects under study ? Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Describing Data, Documenting Reliability & Collection Techniques What: What data was collected, and for what purpose? What is the content and structure of the data ? Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Describing Data, Documenting Reliability & Collection Techniques Where: Where was this data collected? What were the experimental conditions that produced it? Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Describing Data, Documenting Reliability & Collection Techniques When: When was the data collected? Is the data part of a series, or ongoing experiment? Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Describing Data, Documenting Reliability & Collection Techniques Why: Why was this experiment performed? How does it relate to your research question? Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Cross Discipline Concerns No matter what, you need to have: File naming conventions Version control Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Why Do I Need to Worry about That? Consider this: If you unexpectedly have to leave your research project for a few months, could a colleague easily make sense of your data files? Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

Why Use File Naming Conventions? Naming conventions make life easier! Help you find your data Help others find your data Help track which version of a file is most current Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats

What File Naming Convention Should I Use? Has your research group established a convention? If not, general guidelines include: Meaningful file names that aren’t too long Avoid certain characters Dates can help with sorting and version control Module 2: Data Types, Stages & Formats