An introduction to MEDIN Data Guidelines

What MEDIN data guidelines are not… Protocols for collection methods Prescriptive of how you have to collect and store your data Metadata schema MEDIN guidelines are Data Archive Standards: They provide a list of information that should be collected with your data to ensure they can be re-used in the future.

Data guidelines Instill good practice amongst users Allow contracting organizations to specify a format that data should be returned in that can be readily used and includes all relevant attributes Provide a consistent format for contractors to work to (rather than a different format for each contract) Allow easy ingestion of data to Data Archiving Centres

One size does not fit all Our data model has to encompass everything from a sighting by a member of the public to a complex cruise survey or a historical time series! Guidelines are themed by method and split into levels Where possible levels work across methods These standard kits can be bolted together in different ways if needed for complex surveys (e.g. where collecting data using different methods in a single survey)

Data Guideline Structure 3 requirements: General Metadata Project Survey Detailed Metadata Methods Data Station Sample Event Sample Data Common to all guidelines Specific to each guideline

Data guidelines

Zip file contains: 1. readme file 2. pdf document of the Data Guideline 3. excel template of the Data Guideline Download latest version from website Mandatory/Conditional/Optional Same information

Summary Check list Detailed guidance Data Guidelines

Summary Check list Detailed guidance

Data Guidelines Summary Check list Detailed guidance

Data Guidelines Summary Check list Detailed guidance

Data Guidelines Summary Check list Detailed guidance

Data Guideline template