Introduction
This section contains information on the practices for transcribing specimen data from specimens and preparing the specimen data for database entry for the Ohio State University Fish Division (OSUM). The general procedures for transcribing data are found at Data Transcription Procedures, although the focus of this document is mainly on insect specimens. Below are derivations from the OSUC data entry protocol adapted to OSUM-specific data entry needs.
Data Processing Notes
General
The information presented in this subsection is related to conventions that used after the initial data entry process. During the data processing stage of the data entry pipeline, adhere to the following conventions regarding the formatting of column specific information.
Raw Data Worksheet Column-specific Notes
| Column Name
|
Description
|
Convention
|
Example
|
| cuid
|
Collecting unit identifier (unique catalog number) distinguishing this specimen or lot from all others
|
See section below
|
See section below
|
Main Worksheet Column-specific Notes
| Column Name
|
Description
|
Convention
|
Example
|
| coll_method
|
Collecting method, technique, or tool used to collect the specimen(s)
|
Separate multiple collecting methods for a single record with a forward slash (/) without any spaces between the methods. The number of seines, traps, etc. used should be omitted, but use the dimensions of the method with a space separating the elements. DO NOT ABBREVIATE. Also when a size of seine, etc. is used, order the methods from the smallest to largest.
|
4' x 8' seine/20' bag seine; 4' x 20' 1/4" square mesh bag seine
|
Localities Worksheet Column-specific Notes
| Column Name
|
Description
|
Convention
|
Example
|
| comments
|
Comments associated with a locality including the drainage and any additional information
|
When a drainage is specified, place the text Drainage: with a space after the colon followed by the drainage information. If additional comments for a locality are needed, separate the drainage information from addition comments by a semicolon (;). If a drainage is unknown, DO NOT use the drainage text within the comments. All fish localities must include the text Locality: Fish at the end of the comments.
|
Drainage: Wabash River-Ohio River; Locality: Fish; Drainage: Lake Erie; Locality: Fish
|
Resources
