Alternative Approaches to Assessing the Quality of Earth Science Data and Information Products

Assessment of Earth science data and information products can increase their value for users. As Earth science data and information products are used by diverse audiences, a variety of quality assessments can inform users about the potential of such products to meet their needs. Likewise, the availability of a variety of assessment techniques can enable data and information producers, curators, and distributors to apply assessment techniques that will meet their needs. Assessments of data quality also can vary with user applications and change over time. User feedback also is an important assessment tool to inform data curators about how to improve their data holdings to make them more usable to new communities. Alternative approaches to assessing Earth science data and information products are discussed along with the challenges and benefits of each approach.