[Nhcoll-l] how should we encode vague dates in specimen database?

[Dirk Neumann]

Dear Eric,

it depends which kinds of data field your database offers for date 
entries. Paul's recommendations are very reasonable, as this convention 
provides a clear indicator that specific information was not available 
(but that this information was checked to best knowledge when datasets 
were migrated into the new database, or entered directly). Recording 
that something was unknown at a specific point or recorded inadequately 
or vaguely is very helpful, especially if a successor wants to evaluate 
specific datasets in the future.

In our database, any edits are marked with [squared brackets], for 
example alternative locality spellings, locality data that got edited to 
be more accurate, etc. Usually we add initials and date of the person 
that did the edits.

If your database has only one field for date entries and this is 
numerical, it might be worth to move the information into the remarks. 
Because the remarks field is a collector for everything that fits 
nowhere else, it is worth to introduce a strict syntax to separate these 
bits (e.g. a semicolon).

Hope this helps
Dirk

Am 18.09.2018 um 03:21 schrieb Schultz, Eric:
>
> We are cleaning up entries in a legacy database so that our data can 
> be imported into a properly configured collections database.  Exact 
> dates will be imported in a text string mm/dd/yyyy.  But how to render 
> a vague date referring only to season, such as ‘Spring 1984’, or if 
> only the year was recorded? Is it better to record as missing data, 
> record as an erroneous but exact date such as 01/01/1984, or place at 
> the midpoint of the season?  Whatever we do we will have a ‘verbatim’ 
> field that preserves the original entry, but we want to have a version 
> of collection date that is useful and searchable.  Thanks for any 
> assistance!
>
> Eric T. Schultz
>
> Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
>
> Coordinator, Joint BS-MS Degree in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
>
> Director, Vertebrate Biodiversity Collections
>
> Chair, General Education Oversight Committee
>
> University of Connecticut
>
> Storrs, CT 06269-3043
>
> eric.schultz at uconn.edu <mailto:eric.schultz at uconn.edu>
>
> 860.486.4692
>
>
>
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-- 
Dirk Neumann

Tel: 089 / 8107-111
Fax: 089 / 8107-300
*new email: neumann(a)snsb.de*

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---------

Dirk Neumann

Tel: +49-89-8107-111
Fax: +49-89-8107-300
*new email: neumann(a)snsb.de*

postal address:

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