Project Overview
This dataset is a catalog of oceans data science initiatives (ODSIs). We define an ODSI as an initiative that mobilizes (often geospatial and temporal) big data and/or novel data sources about the oceans with an express goal of informing or improving conditions in the oceans. ODSI identification began in Jan 2020. Additional ODSIs will continue to be added. We identified more than 150 ODSIs and populated the catalog with data gathered from ODSI websites describing key features of their work including 1) the data infrastructure 2) their organizational structure, 3) the ocean worlds, or ontologies, they create, and 4) the (explicit or implicit) policy and governance ‘solutions’ and relations they promote. The ODSIs in the catalog are global and regional in scope and aim to enhance understanding around three topical concerns: fisheries extraction, biodiversity conservation, and enhancing basic scientific knowledge.
Data overview
For 100 ODSIs, we created metadata about the data architecture, organizational governance, and world-making practices such as their stated purpose, theory of change, and problem/solution framing. For a subset of 30 ODSIs, we created metadata about their policy and governance stances and practices. All metadata was created based on a textual analysis of their websites and public communications.
Data collection overview
Sampling strategy: We began with a purposive sample of ODSIs based on the research team’s prior knowledge of and participation in global and regional ODSIs. This sample allowed us to pilot and refine our metadata catalog approach. We then used a combination of keyword searches on Google using search terms such as ‘ocean data’ ‘marine data’ and ‘fisheries data’. Adopting a snowball sampling method, we reviewed the websites of ODSIs that came up in our initial search to find references to additional ODSIs.
To determine if an entity was an ODSI, we reviewed web pages for information on purpose, goals, objectives, mission, values (usually in tabs labeled ‘About’ ‘Goals’ or ‘Objectives’) and we looked for links to ‘data’ or ‘data products.’ Entities were selected for our catalog based on two criteria: 1) their stated purpose, goals, objectives, mission, values indicated a commitment to advancing ocean science and data and 2) if they focused on regional or global scales. We selected and categorized ODSIs according to three broad focal areas in global and regional oceans governance: fisheries extraction, biodiversity conservation, and basic ocean science development.
Shared data organization
This catalog is comprised of three files. 'Havice_ODSIC.pdf' provides a list of each ODSI included in the catalog, and a permalink to the webpage used to populate catalog metadata categories. 'Havice_ODSIC-CodingScheme.pdf' provides a list of code description for the catalog metadata. 'Havice_ODSIC-Metadata.xlsx' is the full catalog with populated metadata.
