Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Why was the DOE Data Explorer developed?
The DOE Data Explorer was envisioned as a way to guide users to DOE-sponsored data wherever it resides, regardless of the non-text format it takes, and across all of DOE science research disciplines. It is intended to be particularly useful to students, the public, and to researchers who are new to a field or looking for data outside of their normal field of expertise. The DOE Data Explorer makes it easier to locate data collections at user facilities, on pages maintained by groups within the laboratories, or DOE-sponsored data found on university Web pages.
How was it developed and by whom?
The database was developed by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI), within the Office of Science. Hundreds of Web pages were researched in order to identify data collections that meet inclusion criteria. Descriptions were created using text from the originating source.
What are the criteria that determine which data collections are referenced?
These general guidelines and criteria are followed for selecting collections in scope:
- The collection must consist primarily of non-text information, such as numeric files, figures or data plots, images, multimedia, etc. Some collections include text but only as a part of a specialized mix. The content types are defined in Help.
- The data must be the result of research and be maintained for reference purposes, analysis and reuse, or in support of specific projects. Sample data and mere calibration data were excluded, as were operating statistics and normal log data for DOE's many research instruments. Specialized tools and codes may be part of the data collection, but collections that are primarily toolkits and software were excluded. The exception is computer models and simulations. The line between the tool and the tool's results can be blurry in some of these cases.
- The collection must be funded either wholly or in part by DOE. There must be evidence of DOE financial support that either caused the data collection to be generated or now helps in the maintenance of the data collection.
- The collection may be small but should consist of more than just two or three items. Multiple items must logically fall under the collection's "title."
How is DOE financial support determined?
In many cases, the information on the host Web site for the data clearly states the funding sponsors. In other cases, details such as research organizations and contract numbers surrounding the data were examined. When many organizations were involved, all organizations named at the source Web site were listed as related organizations.
Why do many of the collections not have a Principle Investigator listed?
An individual's name is given as PI only when it is clear that he/she is responsible for the collection as a whole. Each data set within the collection may have a different person credited as PI, but the DOE Data Explorer citations focus on the collection as a whole. Often, however, a scientific collaboration exists and has an "official" name. A collaboration is listed as PI when appropriate.
How many data collections are described in the database?
The list is growing as we continue to identify collections. Over 200 were initially cited. We have a standing invitation to all DOE organizations and to all customers: Please notify us if we've missed a collection you know about or if we have not correctly or adequately described a collection that you maintain.
Do the collections have to be active or can archival collections be included?
Both active and archival collections are included. Because DOE and its predecessor organizations have been generating data since the 1940's, some collections may have data files from those early days. Other collections were formed by very new research. Where possible, the description given in the citation includes the date range of the collection's contents.
How often is the database updated?
New additions or any corrections to the content are made as soon as identified. A different collection will be highlighted in the Featured Data Collection area of the Web site every month. Suggestions are welcome.
