Biological Data Standards – A primer for data managers

Abstract

While a bevy of standards exist for managers of biological data to use, biological science departments or projects could benefit from an easy to digest primer about biological data standards and the value they confer. Moreover, a quick visual breakdown comparing standards could help data managers choose those that best serve their needs. The Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP) is a nonprofit that enables and supports high quality virtual and in-person collaborations between cross-domain data professionals on common data challenges and opportunities, and is supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The ESIP Biological Data Standards Cluster has been developing a primer on existing biological data standards for managers of biological data who may be unaware of existing standards but need to improve management, analysis, and use of the biological observation data. The goal of this primer is to spread awareness about existing standards in a simple, aesthetically pleasing way. Our hope is that this primer, shared online and at conferences, will help increase the adoption of existing biological standards and help make data more Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR).