• Provide examples of correct and inappropriate uses or applications of
each tool
• Describe the types, limitations, and sources of required inputs
• Describe the kinds of results produced by the tool and their
interpretation
• Discuss the relative strengths and limitations of the tool
• Present the uncertainties generally associated with implementation of the
tool
The documentation should be readily accessible (e.g., in help files and
online tutorials) and should include interactive tutorials that can instruct
users on the appropriate applications of the toolkit contents to increase the
effectiveness of their involvement in the resource management process.
12.2.6.2 Metadata Requirements
With any focus on methods for data analysis and presentation, a toolkit
must address the source and quality of the information accessed by its users.
That is, it needs to include “data about the data” or metadata. These metadata, as well as the data they describe, will also need to be conveniently
accessed by toolkit users via an Internet-based implementation of the user’s
toolkit.
The metadata for any specific data set, model results, or other information relevant to environmental resource management should (1) identify
the source, content, and format of the database; (2) indicate who performed
the work; (3) describe the methods used to produce the results; and (4)
present a general summary of the credibility and uncertainty associated
with the data, results, or information. Clearly, the metadata will have to be
developed in terms that are understandable to the diverse set of users who
have roles in specific resource management issues.
The metadata should permit access to the data at different levels of
inquiry, beginning with more generalized summaries and proceeding to
more in-depth analyses and presentations of the data, model results, or
other information in the particular database.
12.3 Conceptual Toolkit
The scientists and engineers who develop models, the managers who must
make decisions, and the stakeholders associated with those decisions each
generally have different objectives. However, all are driven by a common
theme, the environmental problem that begs a solution. Problem solution requires identification of the goals and objectives of the different
stakeholders and resource managers involved in the given environmental
problem. In the most general case, these goals and objectives would diverge
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231
each tool
• Describe the types, limitations, and sources of required inputs
• Describe the kinds of results produced by the tool and their
interpretation
• Discuss the relative strengths and limitations of the tool
• Present the uncertainties generally associated with implementation of the
tool
The documentation should be readily accessible (e.g., in help files and
online tutorials) and should include interactive tutorials that can instruct
users on the appropriate applications of the toolkit contents to increase the
effectiveness of their involvement in the resource management process.
12.2.6.2 Metadata Requirements
With any focus on methods for data analysis and presentation, a toolkit
must address the source and quality of the information accessed by its users.
That is, it needs to include “data about the data” or metadata. These metadata, as well as the data they describe, will also need to be conveniently
accessed by toolkit users via an Internet-based implementation of the user’s
toolkit.
The metadata for any specific data set, model results, or other information relevant to environmental resource management should (1) identify
the source, content, and format of the database; (2) indicate who performed
the work; (3) describe the methods used to produce the results; and (4)
present a general summary of the credibility and uncertainty associated
with the data, results, or information. Clearly, the metadata will have to be
developed in terms that are understandable to the diverse set of users who
have roles in specific resource management issues.
The metadata should permit access to the data at different levels of
inquiry, beginning with more generalized summaries and proceeding to
more in-depth analyses and presentations of the data, model results, or
other information in the particular database.
12.3 Conceptual Toolkit
The scientists and engineers who develop models, the managers who must
make decisions, and the stakeholders associated with those decisions each
generally have different objectives. However, all are driven by a common
theme, the environmental problem that begs a solution. Problem solution requires identification of the goals and objectives of the different
stakeholders and resource managers involved in the given environmental
problem. In the most general case, these goals and objectives would diverge
12. Role of Computational Toolkits in Environmental Management
231