Data managing and processing
Raw data Contain results –experiments –measures –counts –observations –report cards –interviews Do not contain –means –medians –calculations –statistics –conclusions
Raw data Preserve the raw data –lab-book –computer files –photos et. ctr. Raw data should not be changed –during processing –in adaptation –during statistics Make copies for adaptation/statistics
Raw data Preserving the raw data - safety –lab-book – where to keep it? –photos – where to keep them? –computer files average life of a hard disk 2-3 y keep your files on server –( meiginlegra_svaeda) meiginlegra_svaeda advancing technology -> disks get outdated backup backup backup
Advancing technology Will computers be able to read a CD in 10 y?
Yesterday, All those backups seemed a waste of pay. Now my database has gone away. Oh I believe in yesterday. Suddenly, There's not half the files there used to be, And there's a deadline hanging over me The system crashed so suddenly. I pushed something wrong - What it was I could not say. Now all my data's gone and I long for yesterday-ay-ay-ay. Yesterday, The need for backups seemed so far away. I knew my data was all here to stay. Now I believe in yesterday.
How much does a computer cost? €, $, ISK Time
Backup systems Store data on server (network drive in Ugla) –Automatic backups every day Anything –CD’s –USB sticks –External hard drives – –Google docs –Dropbox
Lab-book Lab book costs approx kr What to write in the lab book???? Everything
What to write in the lab-book Protocols Recipes Dilutions Methods References What you did Your results What do they mean What went wrong How Why What does it mean What else can you do? Ideas
Protocols Handy to use 2 protocols –thorough protocol where “everything” is written –to learn the method and teach others recipes, dilutions, mixes, incubation times, et. ctr. –short protocol –for daily use main steps, on a single page (laminated)
Computer files Most databases are flat two-dimensional files (Excel) –good for most simple databases –can not handle endless amount of data (limited) –not good for complex databases with numerous variables –you must flatten the data Other programs –FileMaker, Oracle, ……
Computer files Excel is relatively simple to use –designed for business purposes Flat two-dimensional files –not user-friendly as a large database
Databases Pull out the main things (means et.ctr.) –visualize your results –graphs and charts –tables and figures –pivot tables –frequently (unless double blinded)
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Computer files - Photos Always save your raw data on TIF or RAW format –avoid using JPG or GIF (you lose quality when saving repeatedly) Always save a copy of photos for processing (preserve the raw data unchanged)