Data Policy

To maximize the reach and impact of the observations, simulations, and tools generated by CMOP, we will institute liberal policies for sharing data and software.

General Policy

Routinely collected field data and physical field data regardless of mode of collection will be rapidly and publicly available via the web; rapid is defined as near real-time for raw data, and on a monthly basis for quality controlled data. Drifter, AUV and cruise data is included in the definition of routinely collected data, unless it pertains to sensors under development.

Data from laboratory experiments will be available to interested Center investigators upon request.

Numerical forecasts, long-term simulation databases, and process-oriented simulations will be rapidly and publicly available via the web – as allowed by logistics and liability.

Software (including numerical codes) will be developed as open source software.

Exceptions will require approval by the Senior Management Team, which decisions will be subject to annual review by the External Advisory Board (EAB).

The CMOP Data Policy will assign responsibilities, processes, and standards in making data publicly available – to consumers, providers, and the Center as the managing entity. In particular:

Data Consumers

Consumers of data provided by or through CMOP will agree to:

1) have the receipt of dataset recorded,

2) give attribution of data source to the data provider, CMOP or investigator, and

3) arrange with CMOP for feeds of real time observed data and real time forecast data (so resources can be managed).

Data Providers

Providers of data beneath the CMOP umbrella will have the responsibility to:

1) make data available in an approved format or service (Opendap, Web Services, OGC protocols),

2) upload data to an CMOP repository in a timely manner using current technologies or arrange to have it directly piped to a dissemination server,

3) perform certain consistency and quality control checks,

4) create a corresponding metadata record for the dataset in an approved format (FGDC), and

5) provide an explicit data management component for each project to address these responsibilities.

CMOP will provide, where feasible, hardware, software infrastructure and training to bring providers and consumers together for efficient distribution of data. CMOP will, in particular:

- provide data archival services,

- maintain an inventory database and tools for searching the inventory to determine available data sets of interest, and

- document procedures.

Note: This Data Policy is integral to the CMOP Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP), approved June 2006 and revised September 2006. The SIP may be revised annually, offering in particular the opportunity to periodically incorporate new standards and technologies into the implementation of the Data Policy.