MiCorps Data Exchange Network

1. MiCorps Data Exchange Network MiCorps First Annual Conference Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center October 29, 2005

2. Outline • Why develop a data management system? • Why was Data Exchange Network developed? • What is the Data Exchange Network? • Enter Data • Search Data • Who uses the Data Exchange Network? • How will the data be used? • How will data quality be assured? • Questions? 2

3. Why Data Management? • Data can become unwieldy. How do we see trends and relationships? • Monitoring data needs to be stored long-term • Deeper analysis across site characteristics becomes possible • Improves quality control 3

4. Data Management Considerations • Data recording and storage techniques that ensure high quality data • Safe environment into the future • Ease of data accessibility • Ease of data analysis 4

5. Data ManagementApproaches • Organizations apply different data management approaches • Paper records, spreadsheets, relational databases • Volunteer monitoring programs in Michigan previously employed a combination of these 5

6. Reason for Data Exchange Network Development • Previously, lake and stream volunteer monitoring data were collected and housed in separate databases • Data were accessible primarily to local collectors, MDEQ biologists and through annual reports • Summary data were entered into a database by CLMP or MDEQ 6

7. Reason for Data Exchange Network Development • Volunteers will be entering their own data • Online access to all volunteer monitoring data collected within the MiCorps program • Volunteers, scientists, and the greater community • Centralized quality control measures to insure high quality data • Quick and easy data retrieval, cross-comparisons and analysis 7

8. What is the Data Exchange Network? • The Data Exchange Network is a web-based data storage and retrieval system for volunteer monitoring data collected by MiCorps member programs. 8

9. What is the Data Exchange Network? • Purpose: • To create a central location for volunteer monitoring data to increase efficiency and data exchange capabilities. • The system will provide ready access to volunteer monitoring data for analysis and education by automating data exchange via the internet. 9

10. What is the Data Exchange Network? • Two main components • Online data entry system for volunteer monitoring MiCorps members • Fully searchable database accessible to the monitoring community and general public 10

11. MiCorps Data Exchange Network Data Entry • Online data entry system • Data also accepted via direct database transfers • No specific development format required • Should follow fields included on official datasheets (see handout for list of fields) • Saved as XML (easily done through Microsoft Excel or Access) before sending to MiCorps for incorporation into official MiCorps database. 11

12. MiCorps Data Exchange Network Entry Point • MiCorps website - www.micorps.net 12

13. Data Exchange Network Online Data Entry • Member Login • Successful login required to enter data online • Usernames and passwords assigned as organizations become MiCorps members • One individual within each organization is responsible for entering data 13

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15. Data Exchange NetworkOnline Data Entry Lakes Module 15

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25. Data Exchange NetworkOnline Data Entry Streams Module 25

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31. MiCorps Data Exchange NetworkData Search • Two types of data searches • Raw data • Data summaries • Data viewed online or downloaded 31

32. Data Exchange NetworkData Search Lakes Module 32

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39. Data Exchange NetworkData Search Streams Module 39

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42. MiCorps Database Users • Professional Scientists • Screening tool to identify areas for further investigation • Volunteer and general public interested in lake and stream quality • General information about their area in which they live • Support local management efforts 42

43. MiCorps Data Uses • Highlight potential problem areas for further investigation • Comparisons with neighboring lakes and streams • Contribute to watershed assessments • Analysis of how lake quality may be affecting stream quality and vice versa • Long-term trends of lake and stream quality • And others … 43

44. Ensuring High Quality Data • Data Certification • Quality Assurance Program Plan (QAPP) for each MiCorps member program before data can be entered • Common data entry errors are flagged for correction before submittal • Quality assessment of data by MiCorps staff • Follows state and national standards 44

45. Ensuring High Quality Data • High Security • Secure database behind firewall • Data entry is password protected 45

46. MiCorps Data Exchange Network Current Status • Lakes module currently being tested by a subset of volunteers • Streams module in final stages of internal development and testing • MiCorps Data Exchange Network accessible from the MiCorps website (www.micorps.net) and will be in full scale use for the 2006 sampling season 46

47. Future Enhancements? • GIS Maps displaying volunteer monitoring locations • Database linkages between the lakes and streams data • Yearly data summaries and graphical displays • Incorporate volunteer data into U.S. E.P.A. STORET database 47

48. QUESTIONS? Contact: Ric Lawson (rlawson@glc.org) Anne Sturm (asturm@glc.org ) Great Lakes Commission 734-971-9135 48