Parameter

The parameter table contains all parameters with unit and ID, grouped by categories as defined in the ParamGroup table. Avoid duplication of parameters by defining already existing parameters just with a different unit!

When defining a new parameter, always ensure, that the parameter does not already exist! If the parameter exists with a unit different from the one needed and the data can easily be converted, the parameter should NOT be defined again and the data must be converted prior to import. (It is one of the major challanges of PANGAEA, that it delivers data in a consistent format, which also means with internal ‚standard‘ units.)

Do NOT define parameters with user specific 'qualifiers' e.g. Thalassiosira sp. F. In this case the data should be linked to the parameter Thalassiosira sp. and the data series comment should contain 'sp. F' (see import).

Clearly separate parameters and methods. Methods are defined in the method table; the relation to a data series is made during the import.


 * Name: should contain the full name of the parameter.
 * Abbreviation: of the parameter, will be used in the header of data sets.
 * Unit: should follow international usage as close as possible. An already existing parameter should only be defined with an other unit if the values can not be converted from one to an other.
 * Parameter group: is used for a better overview and grouping of parameters. Before defining a new parameter, ensure, that the required parameter group already exists.
 * Data group: Primary data are raw data, e.g. counts of microfossils are weight of samples. Secondary data are those calclulated from the raw data and are the most commonly used, .e.g concentrations in % or ppm. Tertiary data are mostly calculated data on a higher level of scientific interpretation, e.g. paleotemperatures. For technical parameters, the group 'not classified' can be sed.
 * Default method: is a relational field to the method table where a required method has to be defined first. A method in this field is the default, shown during the import of data. The default can be individually changed during the import procedure.
 * Default format: ###0.00 Some predefined formats are offert by a menue. The format should follow the general precision and will be used by the system as the default. It can be changed during the import of data on the config card.
 * min/max Range can be used to define the numeric range of values in which a certain parameter will occur. An internal routine will check during the import of data for outlayers and will flag them as ‚not valid‘.
 * Default data type: of a parameter can be numeric or text. If a text parameter is defined, no unit, format and min/max values should be given. Text parameter can store up to 80 characters per value.
 * Reference: If a parameter was defined in a publication, a link to the relational reference field can be given. The reference has to be defined first in the reference table.
 * Comment: this text field should be used for any usefull descriptions, helpfull to other curators to understand the meaning of specific parameter.

New parameters are only defined by the data librarian!

Use the import form for new definitions and send to mailto:hgrobe@pangaea.de

Find predefined project specific lists and categorised groups of parameters at http://www.pangaea.de/parameter/