Describe the overall organization of your dataset

Identification of any species represented in the data set should be as complete as possible.

• Use a standard taxonomy whenever possible
• Full taxonomic tree to most specific level available
• Source of taxonomy should accompany taxonomic tree (if available)
• References used for taxonomic identification should be provided, if appropriate (e.g. technical document, journal article, book, database, person, etc.)

Examples of standardized identification systems:

• Integrated Taxonomic Information System (http://www.itis.gov/)
• Species 2000 (http://www.sp2000.org/)
• USDA Plants (http://plants.usda.gov/index.html)
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (http://www.gbif.org/informatics/name-services/using-names-data/)

Description Rationale

Many ecological studies involve at least one species; identifying the species used in a study is critical for its evaluation. The most complete information possible should be provided since taxonomic names and classifications shift over time with new information.

Cite this best practice:

DataONE Best Practices Working Group, DataONE  (July 01, 2010) "Best Practice: Describe the overall organization of your dataset". Accessed through the Data Management Skillbuilding Hub at https://dataoneorg.github.io/Education/bestpractices/document-taxonomic-information on Mar 01, 2024