| Agency Programs |
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
|
 |
| Data Policies |
*
*
*
|
|
| Publications |
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
National Assessment
*
*
*
*
|
|
| Agency Research |
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
|
|
| Other Resources |
*
*
*
*
|
|
|
Data and Information Working Group, DIWG
U.S. Global Change Research Program, USGCRP
Since 1987, data and information management experts from the USGCRP
agencies have been collaborating through a Data and Information Working
Group (DIWG) to develop interagency data management in support of
global change research. The DIWG has provided a forum for agencies to
share program information and act in concert to improve the quality
of management, access, and utilization of global change data and
information. In addition, it has both helped coordinate agency data
and information activities and provided a unified voice on related
budgetary and policy issues. From its inception, the DIWG has had a close
relationship with the NAS/NRC Committee on Geophysical and Environmental
Data.
This continuing interagency DIWG activity has now extended
uninterrupted over 14 years, a time of major research, technology, policy,
and program magnitude changes. From data and information issues being
largely an afterthought to the present "Information Age." Currently
represented in the DIWG are DOD, DOC, DOE, DOI, EPA, NSF, NASA, and
USDA. It's chair is elected by the members and is presently Dr. W. Ferrell
of DOE.
While the focus of the DIWG continually changes to meet the new
challenges, its initial role of being a mechanism for agencies to share
program information and act in concert remains one of the most important
functions of the DIWG. In its more direct support of the USGCRP needs
for high quality data and information that can be easily found, accessed,
and used by its large and diverse user community, the DIWG:
- Identifies representatives to the other active WGs of the USGCRP
to keep them informed of DIWG activities and understand their needs,
including those for dataset interoperability and special long-term,
multi-source datasets.
- Is continuing its activities to assure that users can obtain the
data and information they need on a "full and open" basis by promulgating:
- The "full and open" policy it drafted for the President's Science
Advisor in 1991, which has been widely adopted internationally, and
defending it from continuing attempted subversions.
- Suggested "grant" language to help agencies assure that the data
and information developed is available on a "full and open" basis.
- Helps USGCRP WGs draft data and information policies to meet
their own needs consistent with USGCRP policies, as done with the
Nat. Assmt. WG.
- Publishes a yearly summary by subject of citations for newly
available agency datasets related to the USGCRP. (Also of information
citations as needed.)
- Has a Web site that links to the largest amount of USGCRP
related data and information, an "Ask Dr. Global Change" service,
and a comprehensive collection of data policy material. (http://www.globalchange.gov/)
- Is continuing concept development for a USGCRP National
Environmental Change Information System. A Case Study and NAS workshop
are completed.
- Sponsors a continuing series of agency data center workshops on
current issues, including their appropriate roles as related to outside
data sources.
- Coordinates its activities with groups inside and outside the
USGCRP with major data system activities, such as the Federal Geographic
Data Committee and the international Committee on Earth Observation
Satellites.
|
|
|
