A model for community-driven development of best practices: the Ocean Observatories Initiative Biogeochemical Sensor Data Best Practices and User Guide

• DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2024.1358591
• Publication Date: 2024-04-03T06:59:05Z
• Authors: Hilary I. Palevsky; Sophie Clayton; Heather Benway; Mairead Maheigan; Dariia Atamanchuk; Roman Battisti; Jennifer Batryn; Annie Bourbonnais; Ellen M. Briggs; Filipa Carvalho; Alison P. Chase; Rachel Eveleth; Rob Fatland; Kristen E. Fogaren; Jonathan Peter Fram; Susan E. Hartman; Isabela Le Bras; Cara C. M. Manning; Joseph A. Needoba; Merrie Beth Neely; Hilde Oliver; Andrew C. Reed; Jennie E. Rheuban; Christina Schalle...; Ian Walsh; Christopher Wingard; Kohen Bauer; Baoshan Chen; Jose Cuevas; Susana Flecha; Micah Horwith; Melissa Melendez; Tyler Menz; Sara Rivero-Calle; Nicholas P. Roden; Tobias Steinhoff; Pablo Nicolás Tru...; Michael F. Vardaro; Meg Yoder
• Keywords: Best practice; Biogeochemical Cycle

The field of oceanography is transitioning from data-poor to data-rich, thanks in part increased deployment in-situ platforms and sensors, such as those that instrument the US-funded Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI). However, generating science-ready data products these particularly making biogeochemical measurements, often requires extensive end-user calibration validation procedures, which can present a significant barrier. Openly available community-developed -vetted Best Practices contribute overcoming barriers, but collaboratively developing user-friendly be challenging. Here we describe process undertaken by NSF-funded OOI Biogeochemical Sensor Data Working Group develop for creating data, culminating publication GOOS-endorsed User Guide. For related ocean observatories, engaging observatory staff crucial, having “user-defined” ensures final product addresses user needs. Our prioritized bringing together diverse team an inclusive environment where all participants could effectively contribute. Incorporating perspectives wide range experts prospective end users through iterative review included “Beta Testers’’ enabled us produce combines technical information with structure illustrates analysis pipelines via flowcharts worked examples accompanied pseudo-code. its impact on improving accessibility utility provides roadmap other groups undertaking similar community-driven activities disseminate new Practices.