Preparing data for publication by file type
Tabular data:
By default, we recommend that tabular data are published in .csv format. Using this highly portable data format ensures that the data are accessible to users without the need for specific software environments. These types of data products include spreadsheets, databases, and machine outputs such as sensor data.
Spatial data:
Spatial data are normally published in a proprietary format, the general standard being the shape and layer file formats used by ESRI products. These are readily imported into other GIS products such as QGIS.
The ASU Library Map and Geospatial Hub provide access and support for geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, geovisualization and cartography, and the associated technologies needed to transform geospatial data into powerful, value-added information. They hold workshops, and events and are located in the Hayden Library on the Tempe campus.
Imagery:
Imagery (whether camera or remotely sensed) can be published in one of the many common image file formats (i.e. .TIFF, .JPG, .PNG, or .IMG).
Preparing metadata
In an ideal world, metadata would always be prepared in a machine-readable format. Some tools (metadata editors) exist to assist with that process, but they may be associated with a particular metadata standard or type of data. If that is not an option, you can still document your data in simple metadata forms.
For each discreet piece of research:
Create metadata that contains information about the project, study subject, and time period. This type of information might be common to your overall research study. This information potentially describes the data package (dataset) you will publish even though this data package may consist of multiple items.
For each data table, spreadsheet worksheet, or machine output (tabular data):
Complete an attribute metadata table that details the characteristics of the data (e.g., format, units, etc.).
For each spatial data file (e.g., GIS shapefile):
Our recommendation for spatial data is to populate the metadata component of your geospatial file. ArcCatalog allows you to enter metadata for each layer in Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) or ISO (recommended) format.
For each image file (satellite data, aerial imagery, LIDAR, etc.):
Each image file essentially contains tabular data with discreet values. The data table form can be used to describe this type of file.