SFBBO is very excited about the recent launch of our online database. To highlight the importance of this step, let’s take a behind-the-scenes tour of what happens with your data.
The goal of the Colonial Waterbird Program is to engage our community in monitoring colonial waterbird populations. While fostering environmental stewardship through outreach events, we set high standards for our science so that the data we collect together is of maximum use for waterbird conservation. To ensure that data are accurate and reliable, our data go through a standard 4-step process. These steps comprise: (1) data collection, (2) data entry, (3) data proofing, and (4) data analysis. Data collection is what you do as a citizen scientist when you visit your colony. You collect information, such as location and habitat characteristics of your site. You also write down the number of adults, chicks, nests, etc. that you see at your site. The map of your colony also provides important information called metadata. At the end of data collection, you have printed datasheets with written information and numbers. Data entry is when the data are entered from the datasheets into a database. The database is an electronic warehouse of data from every date and site. Databases have standardized formats that minimize mistakes in data entry, and the CitSci database closely mirrors the database at SFBBO. Still, these mistakes sometimes happen. To catch these mistakes, we go through a process called data proofing. Data proofing is when the database version of the data is cross-checked with the original version. During this process, we make sure that the electronic data match the data on the hard copy of the datasheet and that required fields are entered correctly. This step is standard practice for any lab, field station, or citizen science project. The data proofing step ensures that data are reliable and can be used for data analysis. Data analysis is when we take the data from the electronic database and do something important with it! We often make graphs to look at trends in colony size over time, create the annual report, and create small reports for community members that need information about a particular colony. Data analysis allows SFBBO to put the data you collect into the bigger picture of colonial waterbird health in the bay. Now that you know what happens with the data you collect, let’s consider the role of the online database. In past years, the primary role of SFBBO volunteers was data collection. Only a few dedicated volunteers were able to participate in data entry because this role required using a limited number of computers at the SFBBO office in Milpitas. The new online database makes it possible for citizen scientists to enter data from any computer with internet access. This is very exciting for the program. The online database benefits the Colonial Waterbird Program by: (1) allowing citizen scientists to be involved in more aspects of the program and to develop more types of scientific skills, (2) allowing data entry to occur from any location, thus cutting down on travel time, (3) allowing program participants to immediately view the data and to make graphs of nest numbers and other trends, and (4) allowing staff more hours for data analysis, which ultimately increases the conservation impact of the data you collect. Thank you for your important contributions during each step of the data process, from going into the field, providing hard copies of your data, and entering your data. We look forward to making the program as efficient and accessible as possible, so please continue to share your feedback. Thank you and happy bird watching!
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Answers by staffMany of our diligent citizen scientists ask questions about goals, methods, and outcomes of the Colonial Waterbird Program. We feel that many of our answers would help clarify the program for others, so we post the most frequent or complex answers here. ArchivesCategories |