In recent years, the integration of physical collections and samples into digital data infrastructure has received increased attention in the context of Open Science and FAIR research results. In order to support open, transparent, and reproducible science, physical samples need to be uniquely identified, findable in online catalogues, well documented, and linked to related data, publications, people, and other relevant digital information. Substantial progress has been made through wide-spread implementation of the IGSN as a persistent unique identifier. What is missing is the development and implementation of protocols and best practices for sample metadata. Effort to do this have shown that it is impossible to develop a common vocabulary that describes all samples collected: one size does not fit all and each domain e.g. soil scientists, volcanologists, cosmochemists, paleoclimate scientists, and granite researchers – to name a few examples - all have their own vocabularies. Yet there is a minimum set of attributes that are common to all samples, the ‘Bull’s Eye of sample metadata’. This session invites participants from all walks of earth and environmental science to help define what is the minimum set of attributes needed to describe physical samples that are at the heart of much of Earth and environmental research.
How to Prepare for this Session:Participations should come with a list of the mimimum metadata requirements for their institutions or domains. They should be prepared to give a brief introduction to their needs.
Session Agenda:
- Introduction to the issue
- Review of existing examples and discussion of the limitations
- Discuss minimal requirements; propose changes/addition
- Summarize outcomes and discuss next steps
Google doc with the current metadata list and proposed changesPresentations:
View Recording: https://youtu.be/bxhTmrNqkCATakeaways
