Journal Article
A model for community-driven development of best practices: the Ocean Observatories Initiative Biogeochemical Sensor Data Best Practices and User Guide
Hilary I. Palevsky; Sophie Clayton; Heather Benway; Mairead Maheigan; Dariia Atamanchuk; Roman Battisti; Jennifer Batryn; Annie Bourbonnais; Ellen M. Briggs; Filipa Carvalho; Alison P. Chase; Rachel Eveleth; Rob Fatland; Kristen E. Fogaren; Jonathan Peter Fram; Susan E. Hartman; Isabela Le Bras; Cara C. M. Manning; Joseph A. Needoba; Merrie Beth Neely; Hilde Oliver; Andrew C. Reed; Jennie E. Rheuban; Christina Schallenberg; Ian Walsh; Christopher Wingard; Kohen Bauer; Baoshan Chen; Jose Cuevas; Susana Flecha; Micah Horwith; Melissa Melendez; Tyler Menz; Sara Rivero-Calle; Nicholas P. Roden; Tobias Steinhoff; Pablo Nicolás Trucco-Pignata; Michael F. Vardaro; Meg Yoder
Frontiers in Marine Science · Vol. 11 · 2024
Abstract
The field of oceanography is transitioning from data-poor to data-rich, thanks in part to increased deployment of in-situ platforms and sensors, such as those that instrument the US-funded Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI). However, generating science-ready data products from these sensors, particularly those making biogeochemical measurements, often requires extensive end-user calibration and validation procedures, which can present a significant barrier. Openly available community-developed and -vetted Best Practices contribute to overcoming such barriers, but collaboratively developing user-friendly Best Practices can be challenging. Here we describe the process undertaken by the NSF-funded OOI Biogeochemical Sensor Data Working Group to develop Best Practices for creating science-ready biogeochemical data products from OOI data, culminating in the publication of the GOOS-endorsed OOI Biogeochemical Sensor Data Best Practices and User Guide. For Best Practices related to ocean observatories, engaging observatory staff is crucial, but having a “user-defined” process ensures the final product addresses user needs. Our process prioritized bringing together a diverse team and creating an inclusive environment where all participants could effectively contribute. Incorporating the perspectives of a wide range of experts and prospective end users through an iterative review process that included “Beta Testers’’ enabled us to produce a final product that combines technical information with a user-friendly structure that illustrates data analysis pipelines via flowcharts and worked examples accompanied by pseudo-code. Our process and its impact on improving the accessibility and utility of the end product provides a roadmap for other groups undertaking similar community-driven activities to develop and disseminate new Ocean Best Practices.