This online, fully self-paced training course provides a comprehensive introduction for the management and archive of marine biological data, including the guiding principles of biological data management and typical responsibilities for data manager. Several types of biological data will be tackled, including observational data, image-derived data and omics data and how these data can be formatted, standardized and quality controlled before being submitted to wider regional, national and international initiatives.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to describe the core tasks required for the processing and distributing of biological marine data, explain the importance of following standards, both for the data and the metadata and identify possible data flow mechanisms and pathways to ensure their data are shared as widely as possible, thereby stimulating re-use.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this training, learners will be able to:

• Describe the core tasks required for the processing and distributing of biological marine data
• Explain the importance of following standards, both for the data and the metadata 
• Identify possible data flow mechanisms and pathways to ensure their data are shared as widely as possible, thereby stimulating re-use
  

Course contents

The course is divided into the following modules

• Module 1. Guiding principles in data management
  This module discusses the need for guiding principles in data management, including FAIR, CARE,  INSPIRE and TRUST principles
• Module 2. Fundamentals of marine biological data management and the Research Data Life Cycle
  This module introduces the Research Data Life Cycle and how to create a Data Management Plan. Discussion on how marine biological and biodiversity data is collected, metadata standards, controlled vocabularies, data licences and the uses and reuse of marine data.
• Module 3. Best practices for data capture
  Topics covered include data structures, clear variables, consistent values, spreadsheet software caveats, data validation and basic quality checks.
• Module 4. Transferring your (meta)data to Darwin Core
  This module discusses the structure and formatting the data according to Darwin Core standards
  Module 5. Common issues with data format and quality
  Topics covered include temporal information, geographical information, taxonomy, and quality control on a marine biodiversity DarwinCore Archive.
• Module 6. Preservation & publication of marine biological data
  This module discusses sharing & publishing data, selection of repositories to archive marine biodiversity data, initiatives that publish marine biodiversity data & their tools, and how to publish data through IPT.
• Module 7. Imagery data
  Topics covered include how images are used to obtain marine biodiversity data, formatting marine biodiversity plankton imaging data according to international standards, metadata of imagery datasets, and tools for classifying images of marine biodiversity.
• Module 8. DNA-derived data
  Topics covered include what is DNA-derived data, defining (meta)data for DNA-derived dataset, and formatting & structure for DNA-derived datasets.
• Module 9. Data archaeology & rescuing historical data
  This module discusses some of the common challenges and recommendations for digitisation in data archaeology.

Target audience

• Marine data managers
• NODC and/or ADU staff
• Data stewards and researchers
• Early career researchers

Language and computer skills required (Applicants are expected to have):

• a good working knowledge of English
• basic computer skills
• the ability to find resources through search engines
• the ability to be self-directed in learning new technology skills (e.g. following a step-by-step tutorial, online video help, or access to support to learn necessary skills)

Instructors/Organisers

This course is organised by the OceanTeacher Global Academy with assistance of the Flanders Marine Institute.

Course duration and format:

The course will be delivered online between 1 May 2024 and 30 August 2024. The estimated time to complete the self-paced course is approximately 35 hours.

Learner Assessment:

This is a self-taught course that includes quizzes designed to help learners assess their own learning at regular intervals. In order to successfully complete the course and award a Certificate at the end, the following is mandatory:

• complete all lessons in each Module of the course;
• complete all quizzes (70% minimum score for each quiz);

Note: submitting the course feedback survey is mandatory to obtain the course certificate.

Technology requirements

To complete this course, participants should have access to:

• Computer with Windows or Mac operating system
• Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari web browsers

How to enrol

Please register on the OceanExpert website (www.oceanexpert.org). Once your OceanExpert account is approved (this is not done immediately), you can self-enrol in the course. If you already have an OceanExpert account, you can self-enrol in the course using your OceanExpert username and password. Enrolment is available until 15 August 2024.

First log-in OceanTeacher, then access the course page and click on self-enrollment.

The enrolment key is BDM*2024

For any questions please contact the OTGA Secretariat (ioc.training@unesco.org) always using the name of the course as email subject.

There are no tuition fees. 

UNESCO is committed to promote equal access principles. Applications from minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

Feedback survey

At the end of the course, you will be asked to fill out a feedback survey. This information will be used to improve future courses.

Cancellation policy:

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.