Speaker
Description
Initiated in 2023, the DFG Research Unit Biogeochemical Processes and Air–Sea
Exchange in the Sea-Surface Microlayer (BASS) explores air–sea exchange processes
through multidisciplinary field campaigns, mesocosm and laboratory experiments, and
modeling. During the expected eight-year project duration (two phases of four years
each), BASS encompasses nine subprojects per phase, involving 25 principal
investigators, 50 employees and students, and IT specialists, a total of approximately 75
potential users. Handling and sharing diverse data from these sources require strong,
compatible research data management (RDM) workflows that follow FAIR Findable,
Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) principles. However, sketching a suitable
data model for the integration of such diverse and dynamic data in advance was out of
scope. Our case study shows an open-source-based RDM system designed to help
scientists without programming skills within BASS. The workflow focuses on the
LinkAhead platform, improved by a custom automation tool called the metadata.xlsx
crawler: This simple tool allows data-providers to enrich their metadata dynamically, by
entering it into an Excel template spreadsheet stored alongside the corresponding data
files. The metadata.xlsx crawler maps the entries to the data model or extends it
automatically, if needed.
Using a familiar, offline-capable Excel format, researchers record metadata during data
collection with minimal technical barriers. Extracted metadata adheres to PANGAEA
repository standards, including controlled vocabularies and provenance information,
making repository submissions easier despite the current lack of direct export features
from LinkAhead. This method connects simple offline metadata capture with integrated
RDM workflows, supporting consistent, FAIR-compliant data archiving across various
institutions and disciplines. As we prepare for BASS Phase 2, we plan to continue using
and improving this approach. Future updates include saving search queries to improve
metadata discoverability and enhancing metadata fields to boost findability and
interoperability.
In our talk, we will present:
- Integration of open-source tools with lightweight, offline-ready Excel templates
tailored for non-programmer scientists. - Lessons learned from automated metadata extraction across diverse scientific
teams. - Strategies for long-term data preservation and repository readiness.
