A metadata-driven framework for generating field data entry interfaces in ecology

Christopher S. Jones

doi:10.1016/j.ecoinf.2007.06.005

A metadata-driven framework for generating field data entry interfaces in ecology

2007-10-01

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Christopher S. Jones *

DOI：10.1016/j.ecoinf.2007.06.005

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With the advent of affordable yet powerful handheld computers, many ecologists now capture data electronically in the field, while avoiding transcription errors found in more traditional field notebook or slate-based approaches of recording data. Ecologists either use simple forms from generic handheld software that doesn't allow for needed optimizations, or else they must spend substantial effort in the design and optimization of handheld software user interfaces. These efforts often produce highly customized software that is not easily repurposed, and that produce non-standard, undocumented data formats. Our research is focused on reducing this effort by providing a flexible framework that uses highly structured metadata to drive the generation of customized data entry interfaces. our approach relies on formalized metadata encoded in either XML Schema or XML instance documents, which facilitate the creation of graphical interfaces from arbitrary data schemas. Specifically, we leverage the rich metadata descriptions and structures found in the Ecological Metadata Language to create data entry forms, and output data sets that adhere to this specification. The interfaces are refined by using data-typing and domain information found in the structured metadata to generate validation routines that assist in maintaining data integrity during the entry process. The framework utilizes a rule-based engine to promote both reuse and extensibility of the modules that are created for any given data entry effort. Interfaces are rendered using open, Internet-based standards to maintain portability and to advocate the sharing of software components. The framework represents an initial implementation of a customizable user interface generator, which should have broad applicability to researchers in need of rapidly creating field and laboratory-based forms for varied collection efforts. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords:

ecological data entry

user-interface generation

metadata

handheld computer

schema inference

A metadata-driven framework for generating field data entry interfaces in ecology

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