Data rescue archive weather (DRAW): Preserving the complexity of historical climate data. Issue 4 (25th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Park, Eun G.; Burr, Gordon; Slonosky, Victoria; Sieber, Renee; Podolsky, Lori
• Is Part Of: Journal of documentation. Volume 74:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 763
• Page End: 780
• Publication Date: 2018-04-25
• Subjects: Metadata -- Data repository -- Climate data -- Data rescue -- Historical scientific data -- Weather data; Documentation -- Periodicals; Library science -- Periodicals; 025
• DOI: 10.1108/JD-10-2017-0150
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0418

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To rescue at-risk historical scientific data stored at the McGill Observatory, the objectives of the Data Rescue Archive Weather (DRAW) project are: to build a repository; to develop a protocol to preserve the data in weather registers; and to make the data available to research communities and the public. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach: The DRAW project adopts an open archive information system compliant model as a conceptual framework for building a digital repository. The model consists of data collection, conversion, data capture, transcription, arrangement, description, data extraction, database design and repository setup. Findings: A climate data repository, as the final product, is set up for digital images of registers and a database is designed for data storage. The repository provides dissemination of and access to the data for researchers, information professionals and the public. Research limitations/implications: Doing a quality check is the most important aspect of rescuing historical scientific data to ensure the accuracy, reliability and consistency of data. Practical implications: The DRAW project shows how the use of historical scientific data has become a key element in research analysis on scientific fields, such as climatology and environmental protection. Originality/value: The historical climate data set of the McGill Observatory is by nature unique and complex for preservation and research purposes. The management of historical scientific data is a challenge to rescue and describe as a result of its heterogeneous and non-standardized form.