397
15.2.2 Communication
Communicating plans for fieldwork and applying for necessary permits in a timely
manner avoids unnecessary complications. Essentially, the earlier researchers get in
touch with site administrators, the better. Regulations vary, but obtaining necessary
permits can take months, especially in areas with a high protection status. Often,
research proposals are evaluated by a panel. However, it is good practice to get in
touch with site administrators before writing a detailed proposal because local regulations might influence project plans, including changes to the location, timing, and
duration of data collection; the equipment used; and the number of people on site.
In addition, it is good practice to figure out logistics, such as transportation of people and equipment, early in the planning phase. Early communication provides time
to understand the rationale behind a research plan and to adjust the plan
Folder
type
Content description and management
orig_
data
folder
This folder includes raw data acquired during the project. These data never get
changed. “Read only” permission is advisable; metadata files describing the
data sets are critical. It is good practice to check backup copies when new data
sets are added. From here data can be copied to the data_work folder, e.g., if
the format needs to be changed or different data sets are being combined into a
master data set. This folder can contain proprietary file formats, in which case it
is important to include details about the software and version used to access
files. This folder gets archived after the project is finished
data
folders
These are where analyses happen. The folders usually contain subfolders, e.g.,
for code, data input, and data output. Work copies of data copied from
orig_data are saved here. Metadata describing any changes to the original data
are important, including variable transformations, references for methodology,
software, and version used. Typical file formats are .csv and .txt. The data_work
folder includes preliminary results and is deleted after the project is finished.
All analysis steps are being documented in the docu folders. The data_pub
folder contains final scripts, final results, compiled master data sets, etc. This
folder gets archived after the project is finished
gis
folders
These are similar to data folders but for geospatial data. This folder contains
geo data that have been modified from the original data. Processing details are
included in the metadata; original data remain in orig_data. Typical file formats
include geotiff, .tiff, and .shp. The gis_work folder is for intermediate steps and
is deleted after the project is finished. The gis_pub folder is for final results and
gets archived
maps
folder
This folder is for data associated with maps, layouts, and styles. It gets archived
after the project is finished. All paths in maps should refer to data in the
data_pub or orig_data folders when the project is finished
printout
folder
This folder contains final products including publications, maps, posters, and
presentations, usually in a non-editable format. This folder gets archived after
the project is finished
15 Spectral Field Campaigns: Planning and Data Collection
15.2.2 Communication
Communicating plans for fieldwork and applying for necessary permits in a timely
manner avoids unnecessary complications. Essentially, the earlier researchers get in
touch with site administrators, the better. Regulations vary, but obtaining necessary
permits can take months, especially in areas with a high protection status. Often,
research proposals are evaluated by a panel. However, it is good practice to get in
touch with site administrators before writing a detailed proposal because local regulations might influence project plans, including changes to the location, timing, and
duration of data collection; the equipment used; and the number of people on site.
In addition, it is good practice to figure out logistics, such as transportation of people and equipment, early in the planning phase. Early communication provides time
to understand the rationale behind a research plan and to adjust the plan
Folder
type
Content description and management
orig_
data
folder
This folder includes raw data acquired during the project. These data never get
changed. “Read only” permission is advisable; metadata files describing the
data sets are critical. It is good practice to check backup copies when new data
sets are added. From here data can be copied to the data_work folder, e.g., if
the format needs to be changed or different data sets are being combined into a
master data set. This folder can contain proprietary file formats, in which case it
is important to include details about the software and version used to access
files. This folder gets archived after the project is finished
data
folders
These are where analyses happen. The folders usually contain subfolders, e.g.,
for code, data input, and data output. Work copies of data copied from
orig_data are saved here. Metadata describing any changes to the original data
are important, including variable transformations, references for methodology,
software, and version used. Typical file formats are .csv and .txt. The data_work
folder includes preliminary results and is deleted after the project is finished.
All analysis steps are being documented in the docu folders. The data_pub
folder contains final scripts, final results, compiled master data sets, etc. This
folder gets archived after the project is finished
gis
folders
These are similar to data folders but for geospatial data. This folder contains
geo data that have been modified from the original data. Processing details are
included in the metadata; original data remain in orig_data. Typical file formats
include geotiff, .tiff, and .shp. The gis_work folder is for intermediate steps and
is deleted after the project is finished. The gis_pub folder is for final results and
gets archived
maps
folder
This folder is for data associated with maps, layouts, and styles. It gets archived
after the project is finished. All paths in maps should refer to data in the
data_pub or orig_data folders when the project is finished
printout
folder
This folder contains final products including publications, maps, posters, and
presentations, usually in a non-editable format. This folder gets archived after
the project is finished
15 Spectral Field Campaigns: Planning and Data Collection