Information Management Policy for Submission of Data
The Center for Biological Field Studies endorses Harvard Forest and the LTER Network Data Access Policy which states that research data must be made available online within two years of collection and no later than publication of the main findings. The following guidelines must be followed for all research projects at CBFS:
- A Research and Monitoring Permit Application must be submitted by the PI at the start of a new project and annually thereafter until the project is completed.
- Data and metadata must be submitted to the Manager within two years of collection for inclusion in the online Data Archive. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the Manager.
- Primary responsibility for data completeness and integrity (quality control) rests with the project PI.
- Research and Monitoring Permit Applications for the coming year will not be approved until all past data obligations are met.