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Webinar: Crowdsourcing Basics: What is it, and will it work for your collection? - the Milwaukee Public Museum experience
by Deborah Paul 15 Sep '17

15 Sep '17

Greetings All, RE: Crowdsourcing Basics: What is crowdsourcing, and will it work for your collection? - the Milwaukee Public Museum experience. WHEN: Wednesday 20 September at 12 PM EDT, 11 AM CDT. WHERE: http://idigbio.adobeconnect.com/room (Headsets for best experience!). WHO: Presenters: Alyssa Caywood, Collection Digitization Project Manager, Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) and Julia Colby, Vertebrate & Invertebrate Collections Manager MPM; Moderator: Elizabeth (Libby) Ellwood, Research Fellow - LaBrea Tar Pits, WeDigBio organizer (and former iDigBio Post Doc). Abstract. Crowdsourced transcription projects are used by collection managers across the country to fulfill their data entry capture needs. Intrigued, but not sure crowdsourcing is right for you and your collection? Our discussion will cover evaluating your collection and planning a crowdsource transcription project, plus suggest platforms and tips for evaluating which platform might work for you. We will share what we’ve learned from crowdsourcing transcriptions for our own collections and from hosting a WeDigBio event in 2016. Join us to explore whether crowdsourcing is a tool that you should add to your data management toolbox. And, find out more about ways to participate in WeDigBio 2017. Please share -- this is crowdsourcing afterall! See you Wednesday, Deborah Paul, on behalf of Alyssa, Julia, and Libby Tips for best webinar experience: https://www.idigbio.org/wiki/index.php/Web_Conferencing -- -- Upcoming iDigBio Events https://www.idigbio.org/calendar -- Deborah Paul, iDigBio Digitization and Workforce Training Specialist iDigBio -- Steering Committee Member, SPNHC Liaison and Member-At-Large, SYNTHESYS3 Representative Institute for Digital Information, 234 LSB Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida 32306 850-644-6366

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Darwin Core Hour 9: Kurator Web - for Cleaner Biodiversity Data
by Deborah Paul 14 Sep '17

14 Sep '17

Hi Everyone, Please excuse cross-postings. RE: Darwin Core Hour 9: Kurator Web - for Cleaner Biodiversity Data After hearing from aggregators last month, and all about the Data Quality efforts of the TDWG DQ IG in September, we shift gears to a project called "Kurator" which offers a suite of tools that any data provider (individual or institution) can use to investigate data quality. DAY and TIME: Tuesday Oct 24 @ 11 AM EDT, 12 PM ART, 3 PM UTC, 5 PM CEST DETAILED Abstract: https://www.idigbio.org/content/darwin-core-hour-kurator-web-cleaner-biodiv… WHERE: http://idigbio.adobeconnect.com/room Related Links Kurator Web http://kurator.acis.ufl.edu/kurator-web/ Kurator Web code https://github.com/kurator-org/kurator-web Kurator Workflows https://github.com/kurator-org/kurator-validation/wiki Abstract. When we think about biodiversity data and its use, we often immediately wonder about the data quality and how to improve it. The Kurator project is one of the initiatives addressing this issue, and aims at building data quality control and enhancement tools that can be readily used by people with different technical skill levels. One such tool is the Kurator Web application. This tool allows users to execute web-based data quality improvement workflows on biodiversity data, especially on data shared using Darwin Core terms, without the need for programming expertise. In this webinar we will demonstrate the use of Kurator Web to run pre-existing data quality workflows, some of which include: aligning datasets with Darwin Core terms, comparing unique values in datasets with controlled vocabularies, and providing suggestions for improvements for existing data. Finally, we will provide some context on how these tools can integrate with broader workflows and some perspective on the future of biodiversity data quality. Brought to you by the Darwin Core Hour Team - Connecting Biodiversity Data Communities Deb Paul, et al PS Check out past and future DCH Webinars https://github.com/tdwg/dwc-qa/wiki/Webinars Hints for best Adobe Connect experience: https://www.idigbio.org/wiki/index.php/Web_Conferencing Let us know if you'd like to moderate / present / plan future Darwin Core Hours https://tinyurl.com/zja2muz -- -- Upcoming iDigBio Events https://www.idigbio.org/calendar -- Deborah Paul, iDigBio Digitization and Workforce Training Specialist iDigBio -- Steering Committee Member, SPNHC Liaison and Member-At-Large, SYNTHESYS3 Representative Institute for Digital Information, 234 LSB Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida 32306 850-644-6366

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Darwin Core Hour 8: A bite from the core - testing for data quality
by Deborah Paul 04 Sep '17

04 Sep '17

Hi Everyone, RE: Darwin Core Hour 8: A bite from the core - testing for data quality In this upcoming episode of Darwin Core Hour (DCH), we head down under to join Arthur D. Chapman and Lee Belbin for a conversation about Darwin Core and Data Quality. We'll hear about collaborative efforts across the aggregator community (specifically GBIF, VertNet, ALA, and iDigBio) to harmonize data quality algorithms for the downstream data use by researchers, developers, etc. These efforts are the result of the Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG) Data Quality Interest Group (DQIG) work to develop a suite of common, shared tests and data format expectations for use by aggregators. TIME: (please check carefully, the international dateline is involved in this DCH) 7 AM Wednesday Sept 6th (Tasmania) 5 PM Tuesday Sept 5th (USA EDT) 6 PM Tuesday Sept 5th (Buenos Aires) 21:00 UTC Tuesday Sept 5th DETAILED Abstract: https://www.idigbio.org/content/darwin-core-hour-bite-core-testing-data-qua… WHERE: http://idigbio.adobeconnect.com/room Read more about these Test and Assertions on the DQIG Wiki https://github.com/tdwg/bdq/wiki/Task-Group-2-(Tests-and-Assertions)-of-the-'Data-Quality'-Interest-Group-seek-your-comments Related Links Your questions here: https://tinyurl.com/zja2muz BDIQ GitHub: https://github.com/tdwg/bdq Data Quality Tests: http://bit.ly/2uY3FoA Principles: http://bit.ly/2vqoGsK Brought to you by the Darwin Core Hour Team - Connecting Biodiversity Data Communities Deb Paul, et al PS Check out past and future DCH Webinars https://github.com/tdwg/dwc-qa/wiki/Webinars Hints for best Adobe Connect experience: https://www.idigbio.org/wiki/index.php/Web_Conferencing Let us know if you'd like to moderate / present / plan future Darwin Core Hours https://tinyurl.com/zja2muz -- -- Upcoming iDigBio Eventshttps://www.idigbio.org/calendar -- Deborah Paul, iDigBio Digitization and Workforce Training Specialist iDigBio -- Steering Committee Member, SPNHC Liaison and Member-At-Large, SYNTHESYS3 Representative Institute for Digital Information, 234 LSB Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida 32306 850-644-6366

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Darwin Core Hour 7 (Part Three): The Aggregator's Viewpoint - (More Than Vert)Net
by Deborah Paul 28 Aug '17

28 Aug '17

Hi Everyone! At this Darwin Core Hour (DCH): it is VertNet's turn to share what happens to museum specimen data when it is shared with them as data aggregator. Please join us for: DCH 7 (Part Three!): The Aggregator's Viewpoint - (More Than Vert)Net When: *Tu**esday, August 29th, 2PM EDT, 3PM (Buenos Aires), 7 PM (London), 6 PM UTC (18:00)* Where: https://idigbio.adobeconnect.com/room DETAILS: https://www.idigbio.org/content/darwin-core-hour-aggregators-viewpoint-more… *Presenters (VertNet)**:* John Wieczorek - Information Architect, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley *Moderators:* Paula Zermoglio, Deborah Paul Abstract. In this Darwin Core Hour we will follow up in the series on aggregator perspectives with a view from VertNet. Though the taxonomic scope of VertNet as a biodiversity data aggregator is focused on Chordates, VertNet serves a broader biodiversity data mobilization role that has no taxonomic or geographic boundaries. As an Associate Participant in GBIF, VertNet is also involved in a wide variety of other community services, including the development of, promotion of, and training on biodiversity data standards and data quality. In this webinar we will explore the series of services that VertNet provides, such as migration and data quality processes, as well as its unique extracting and searching capabilities, which allow content such as trait data (e.g., body mass and length) to be sought and retrieved. We will discuss VertNet's role in the broader data mobilization framework and how that relates to other biodiversity data sharing initiatives. As always, we encourage people to bring or submit questions and to have open discussions in each webinar. Brought to you by the Darwin Core Hour Team - Connecting Biodiversity Data Communities Deb Paul, et al PS Check out DCH 7 Parts One and Two (GBIF and iDigBio) https://www.idigbio.org/content/darwin-core-hour-aggregators-viewpoint-gbif… Hints for best Adobe Connect experience: https://www.idigbio.org/wiki/index.php/Web_Conferencing Let us know if you'd like to moderate / present / plan future Darwin Core Hours https://tinyurl.com/zja2muz -- -- Upcoming iDigBio Events https://www.idigbio.org/calendar -- Deborah Paul, iDigBio Digitization and Workforce Training Specialist iDigBio -- Steering Committee Member, SPNHC Liaison and Member-At-Large, SYNTHESYS3 Representative Institute for Digital Information, 234 LSB Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida 32306 850-644-6366

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TDWG 2017: deadlines for registration and hotel
by joel sachs 16 Aug '17

16 Aug '17

Dear Colleagues, The TDWG 2017 conference is fast approaching and the organising committee would like to urge you to both register and book your accommodation as soon as possible. We have a great line up of key note speakers and symposia, workshops, posters and software demos based on this year's theme - Data Integration in a Big Data Universe: Associating Occurrences with Genes, Phenotypes, and Environments. We also have an exciting line up of social/networking opportunities including a welcoming reception, "A night at the Museum", hike in the Gatineau mountains to see the Fall colours, collection tours, and a banquet open to all participants and guests. Please come and help make this conference a great success, as well as joining Canada in celebrating its 150th anniversary! At this stage, we are suggesting that you immediately book a hotel room at the conference venue (Delta Hotel) as the hold on the rooms will expire on August 29. There are still some rooms available. Also, standard registration will expire on Aug. 31, after which the registration fee will increase. All the information you need to register, learn about the conference and venue, and book accommodation is on the conference website: https://tdwg.github.io/conferences/2017/ We look forward to seeing everyone in October! On behalf of the 2017 organizers, James and Joel

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Darwin Core Hour 7: GBIF and iDigBio present the Aggregator's Viewpoint
by Deborah Paul 14 Aug '17

14 Aug '17

Hi Everyone! Please join us tomorrow to learn about what happens to museum specimen data when it is shared with a data aggregator. Title: Darwin Core Hour: GBIF and iDigBio present the Aggregator's Viewpoint Part ONE: GBIF: free and open access to global biodiversity data Part TWO: iDigBio - aggregating and enhancing vouchered global biocollections data When: Tuesday, August 15th, 10 AM EDT, 9AM CDT, 4 PM CEST Where: https://idigbio.adobeconnect.com/room DETAILS: https://www.idigbio.org/content/darwin-core-hour-aggregators-viewpoint-gbif… **NOTE: this DwC Hour could potentially go slightly over its scheduled hour.** Abstract. In this next Darwin Core Hour Series, we shift to the viewpoint of large biodiversity data aggregators. In this session, we welcome GBIF and iDigBio. GBIF aggregates the world's biodiversity data from observations to checklists to biological specimen data. iDigBio aggregates vouchered specimen data with related media, genetic information and trait data. The Darwin Core Standard plays a key role in the standardization of biodiversity data and in the design and implementation of strategies to improve data quality. Many people wonder what happens to their data after they provide it to an aggregator. Find out the answers to such questions as: what does the aggregator do to assess fitness of the data?, what are the most common data issues seen?, what does the aggregator do to data to make it easier to find when searching an aggregator database?, and how does sharing data with an aggregator benefit me as a collection manager/curator/researcher/data scientist? As always, we encourage people to bring or submit <https://tinyurl.com/zja2muz> questions and to have open discussions in each webinar. Brought to you by the Darwin Core Hour Team - Connecting Biodiversity Data Communities Deb Paul, et al Hints for best Adobe Connect experience: https://www.idigbio.org/wiki/index.php/Web_Conferencing Let us know if you'd like to moderate / present / plan future Darwin Core Hours https://tinyurl.com/zja2muz Sincere apologies for cross-posting! -- -- Upcoming iDigBio Events https://www.idigbio.org/calendar -- Deborah Paul, iDigBio Digitization and Workforce Training Specialist iDigBio -- Steering Committee Member, SPNHC Liaison and Member-At-Large, SYNTHESYS3 Representative Institute for Digital Information, 234 LSB Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida 32306 850-644-6366

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Abstract deadline extended; 4th keynote announced
by Stanley Blum 13 Jul '17

13 Jul '17

Due to numerous requests, we have extended the deadline for abstract submission by one week. Abstracts are now due July 21. To ease life for workshop and symposium organizers, please submit earlier, if possible. We have added a final keynote address for this year's meeting: Anne Bowser, who works in a number of fora around issues of data interoperability in citizen science, and who's work on gamification is familiar to many of us. Anne joins an illustrious lineup, and we now have keynotes for each of the first four days of the week. We will meet in plenary each of these mornings, and then break out in parallel sessions for the remainder of each day. Please also note that computer demonstration will be in the form of a software bazaar. We will have a designated time slot, and a room with tables where those with demos can set up laptops, and attendees can float around from demo to demo, as in a poster session. Abstracts are required for computer demonstrations. With best regards, Joel Sachs James Macklin

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TDWG 2017: program additions and upcoming deadlines
by Stanley Blum 12 Jul '17

12 Jul '17

[View this in your browser <http://mailchi.mp/38b6a4f1a9cb/tdwg-2017-program-additions-and-upcoming-dea…> ] We are excited to announce two additions to the TDWG 2017 program: i. A pre-conference data carpentry workshop will be held at the Museum of Nature on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Details can be found at https://idigbio.github.io/2017-09-30-TDWG-Ottawa/, and registration for the workshop will be available shortly on the conference registration site <https://www.regonline.com/tdwg2017>. (If you have already registered for the conference, you can amend your registration to include the workshop.) These data carpentry workshops are excellent and popular; we will restrict registration to TDWG attendees until the early-bird registration deadline (Aug. 1), after which we will open it up to local students and the general public, until the course capacity is reached. ii. We have added a keynote address from Javier de la Torre, founder and CEO of CartoDB. Many of you know Javier from his many years of involvement with TDWG, and for his visionary leadership in visualization and location intelligence. He will be speaking Tuesday or Wednesday morning. Recall that we have two other outstanding keynotes - Rod Page on Monday morning, and Pam Soltis on Thursday. We'd also like to remind everyone that the deadline for abstract submissions is this Friday, July 14. Please see the call for abstracts <https://tdwg.github.io/conferences/2017/call-for-abstracts/> for details, and instructions on submitting an abstract <https://tdwg.github.io/conferences/2017/call-for-abstracts/instructions/>. We look forward to seeing you in Ottawa! James Macklin Joel Sachs TDWG 2017 Conference Website

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Darwin Core Hour #6: Where am I, exactly? Darwin Core Georeferencing Terms
by Deborah Paul 11 Jul '17

11 Jul '17

Greetings TDWG! One week from today - find out precisely where you are - via Darwin Core Hour #6: Where am I, exactly? Darwin Core Georeferencing Terms Abstract: In this chapter of the Darwin Core Hour series, we will look in depth at two Darwin Core georeferencing terms that can be confusing when sharing location data: coordinateUncertaintyInMeters and coordinatePrecision. We will cover these specific Location terms, along with related terms needed to understand their definitions, importance, and uses. Finally, we will use these terms to demonstrate the process by which community feedback leads to improved Darwin Core documentation. Please bring your insights, community experience, and questions surrounding locality data issues. Presenters: David Bloom, John Wieczorek Date, Time: Tuesday, 11 July at 8am PDT, 11am EDT, 12pm GMT-3 Where: https://idigbio.adobeconnect.com/room References: Darwin Core Location terms: http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/index.htm#locationindex BioGeomancer Guide to Best Practices in Georeferencing: http://www.gbif.org/resource/80536 Darwin Core Georeferences Questions & Answers page: https://github.com/tdwg/dwc-qa/wiki/Georeferences MVZ and iDigBio GWG Guide for Recording Localities in Field Notes http://www.idigbio.org/sites/default/files/working-groups/gwg/GoodBadLocali… Hints for best Adobe Connect experience: https://www.idigbio.org/wiki/index.php/Web_Conferencing Brought to you by the Darwin Core Hour Team - Connecting Biodiversity Data Communities Deb Paul, et al -- -- Upcoming iDigBio Events https://www.idigbio.org/calendar -- Deborah Paul, iDigBio Digitization and Workforce Training Specialist iDigBio -- Steering Committee Member, SPNHC Liaison and Member-At-Large, SYNTHESYS3 Representative Institute for Digital Information, 234 LSB Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida 32306 850-644-6366

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bioRxiv preprint: To increase trust, change the social design behind aggregated biodiversity data
by Nico Franz 29 Jun '17

29 Jun '17

Dear TDWG: Bit of a different, social angle here on the biodiversity aggregation/trust issue. Hopefully of interest to some. (and apologies for cross posting) Cheers, Nico http://www.biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/06/28/157214 Abstract Growing concerns about the quality of aggregated biodiversity data are lowering trust in large-scale data networks. Aggregators frequently respond to quality concerns by recommending that biologists work with original data providers to correct errors "at the source". We show that this strategy falls systematically short of a full diagnosis of the underlying causes of distrust. In particular, trust in an aggregator is not just a feature of the data signal quality provided by the aggregator, but also a consequence of the social design of the aggregation process and the resulting power balance between data contributors and aggregators. The latter have created an accountability gap by downplaying the authorship and significance of the taxonomic hierarchies - frequently called "backbones" - they generate, and which are in effect novel classification theories that operate at the core of data-structuring process. The Darwin Core standard for sharing occurrence records plays an under-appreciated role in maintaining the accountability gap, because this standard lacks the syntactic structure needed to preserve the taxonomic coherence of data packages submitted for aggregation, leading to inferences that no individual source would support. Since high-quality data packages can mirror competing and conflicting classifications, i.e., unsettled systematic research, this plurality must be accommodated in the design of biodiversity data integration. Looking forward, a key directive is to develop new technical pathways and social incentives for experts to contribute directly to the validation of taxonomically coherent data packages as part of a greater, trustworthy aggregation process.

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