Data play an important role in water-related research. Based on experiences in data collection and data processing in water-related research this paper proposes – both from a computer scientist's and an environmental engineer's point of view – a set of rules for data handling: Rule 1: Protect raw data; Rule 2: Save metadata; Rule 3: Use databases; Rule 4: Separate data from processing; Rule 5: Use programming; Rule 6: Avoid redundancy; Rule 7: Be transparent; Rule 8: Use standards and naming conventions. Applying these rules (i) increases the quality of data and results, (ii) allows to prepare data for long-term usage and make data accessible to different people, (iii) makes data processing transparent and results reproducible, and (iv) saves – at least in the long run – time and effort. With this contribution the authors would like to start a discussion about best data handling practices and present a first checklist of data handling and data processing for practitioners and researchers working in the water sector.
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Research Article|
September 01 2013
Best data handling practices in water-related research
H. Sonnenberg
;
H. Sonnenberg
*
1Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin (KWB – Berlin Centre of Competence for Water), Cicerostr. 24, 10709 Berlin, Germany
*Corresponding author. E-mail: hauke.sonnenberg@kompetenz-wasser.de
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M. Rustler
;
M. Rustler
1Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin (KWB – Berlin Centre of Competence for Water), Cicerostr. 24, 10709 Berlin, Germany
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M. Riechel
;
M. Riechel
1Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin (KWB – Berlin Centre of Competence for Water), Cicerostr. 24, 10709 Berlin, Germany
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N. Caradot
;
N. Caradot
1Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin (KWB – Berlin Centre of Competence for Water), Cicerostr. 24, 10709 Berlin, Germany
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P. Rouault
;
P. Rouault
1Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin (KWB – Berlin Centre of Competence for Water), Cicerostr. 24, 10709 Berlin, Germany
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A. Matzinger
A. Matzinger
1Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin (KWB – Berlin Centre of Competence for Water), Cicerostr. 24, 10709 Berlin, Germany
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Water Practice and Technology (2013) 8 (3-4): 390–398.
Citation
H. Sonnenberg, M. Rustler, M. Riechel, N. Caradot, P. Rouault, A. Matzinger; Best data handling practices in water-related research. Water Practice and Technology 1 September 2013; 8 (3-4): 390–398. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wpt.2013.039
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