Data from: Advanced technologies and data management practices in environmental science: lessons from academia

Environmental scientists stand uniquely poised to capitalize on recent advancements in technology, computation, and data management, however, it is unknown the degree to which this is occurring. We analyzed survey responses of 445 graduate students in California to evaluate understanding and use of such advances in the environmental sciences. Of students who had completed their degree, 64.3% had completed the data life cycle, 30.5% had archived research data so that it is available online, and 61.4% had no plans to create metadata for research data sets. Roughly one-third of students used an environmental sensor and collaborated with someone outside their expertise. Results varied by students’ research status and by university type. Doing excellent science in this data-intensive age may necessitate greater emphasis by university programs on data management best practices borrowed from information technology, and skills supplemented by unique training opportunities, courses, counsel from technological specialists, and unconventional collaborations.

环境科学家具备得天独厚的优势，可充分利用当前在技术、计算与数据管理领域的最新进展，但目前尚不清楚这一潜力的实际转化程度。本研究通过分析加州445名研究生的问卷回复，评估环境科学领域研究者对这类技术进展的认知与应用情况。在已完成学业的学生中，64.3%已完整走完数据生命周期（data life cycle）全流程，30.5%已将研究数据归档至线上以供公开获取，另有61.4%未计划为研究数据集创建元数据（metadata）。约三分之一的学生使用过环境传感器（environmental sensor），并与自身专业领域之外的人员开展合作。研究结果因学生的科研阶段与所属院校类型存在差异。在这个数据密集型时代开展高质量科研工作，或许需要高校培养项目进一步强化对信息技术领域借鉴而来的数据管理最佳实践的重视，并通过专属培训机会、相关课程、技术专家咨询以及跨领域非常规合作等方式补充相关技能。