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Guidelines for a Standardized Filesystem Layout for Scientific Data

Author

Listed:
  • Florian Spreckelsen

    (Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
    Institute for the Dynamics of Complex Systems, Georg-August-Universität, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
    German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Baltasar Rüchardt

    (Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
    Institute for the Dynamics of Complex Systems, Georg-August-Universität, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
    German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Jan Lebert

    (Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
    Institute for the Dynamics of Complex Systems, Georg-August-Universität, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
    German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
    Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Stefan Luther

    (Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
    Institute for the Dynamics of Complex Systems, Georg-August-Universität, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
    German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
    Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Ulrich Parlitz

    (Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
    Institute for the Dynamics of Complex Systems, Georg-August-Universität, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
    German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Alexander Schlemmer

    (Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
    German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany)

Abstract

Storing scientific data on the filesystem in a meaningful and transparent way is no trivial task. In particular, when the data have to be accessed after their originator has left the lab, the importance of a standardized filesystem layout cannot be underestimated. It is desirable to have a structure that allows for the unique categorization of all kinds of data from experimental results to publications. They have to be accessible to a broad variety of workflows, e.g., via graphical user interface as well as via command line, in order to find widespread acceptance. Furthermore, the inclusion of already existing data has to be as simple as possible. We propose a three-level layout to organize and store scientific data that incorporates the full chain of scientific data management from data acquisition to analysis to publications. Metadata are saved in a standardized way and connect original data to analyses and publications as well as to their originators. A simple software tool to check a file structure for compliance with the proposed structure is presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Florian Spreckelsen & Baltasar Rüchardt & Jan Lebert & Stefan Luther & Ulrich Parlitz & Alexander Schlemmer, 2020. "Guidelines for a Standardized Filesystem Layout for Scientific Data," Data, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jdataj:v:5:y:2020:i:2:p:43-:d:350094
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaogang Ma & Peter Fox & Curt Tilmes & Katharine Jacobs & Anne Waple, 2014. "Capturing provenance of global change information," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 4(6), pages 409-413, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Henrik tom Wörden & Florian Spreckelsen & Stefan Luther & Ulrich Parlitz & Alexander Schlemmer, 2024. "Mapping Hierarchical File Structures to Semantic Data Models for Efficient Data Integration into Research Data Management Systems," Data, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-15, January.

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