Congruence checks for EML-described datasets in the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network, Checks described as of 2015

These data are descriptions of all checks contributed to the LTER EML Congruence Checker as of late 2015. The EML Congruence Checker (ECC) informs contributors about the structure of the data package, indicating whether the asserted metadata accurately defines the data entity (table); this is called “structural congruence”. The checks and checking software are discussed in O'Brien, M. C, D. Costa and M. Servilla. 2016. Ensuring the quality of data packages in the LTER network data management system. Ecological Informatics. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2016.08.001. Data are organized into a flat table, with one row per check. Each check is characterized with multiple typologies including priority, justification, scope (community), response behavior type and data packaging aspect. Operational information for software includes EML path, criteria for pass/fail, response expected, sample datasets for both pass and fail responses, with failure notes. Management fields indicate if the check has been implemented or not (as of paper publication), with dates when the check was added or updated.