AUTHOR=Palevsky Hilary I. , Clayton Sophie , Benway Heather , Maheigan Mairead , Atamanchuk Dariia , Battisti Roman , Batryn Jennifer , Bourbonnais Annie , Briggs Ellen M. , Carvalho Filipa , Chase Alison P. , Eveleth Rachel , Fatland Rob , Fogaren Kristen E. , Fram Jonathan Peter , Hartman Susan E. , Le Bras Isabela , Manning Cara C. M. , Needoba Joseph A. , Neely Merrie Beth , Oliver Hilde , Reed Andrew C. , Rheuban Jennie E. , Schallenberg Christina , Walsh Ian , Wingard Christopher , Bauer Kohen , Chen Baoshan , Cuevas Jose , Flecha Susana , Horwith Micah , Melendez Melissa , Menz Tyler , Rivero-Calle Sara , Roden Nicholas P. , Steinhoff Tobias , Trucco-Pignata Pablo Nicolás , Vardaro Michael F. , Yoder Meg TITLE=A model for community-driven development of best practices: the Ocean Observatories Initiative Biogeochemical Sensor Data Best Practices and User Guide JOURNAL=Frontiers in Marine Science VOLUME=11 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2024.1358591 DOI=10.3389/fmars.2024.1358591 ISSN=2296-7745 ABSTRACT=

The field of oceanography is transitioning from data-poor to data-rich, thanks in part to increased deployment of in-situ platforms and sensors, such as those that instrument the US-funded Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI). However, generating science-ready data products from these sensors, particularly those making biogeochemical measurements, often requires extensive end-user calibration and validation procedures, which can present a significant barrier. Openly available community-developed and -vetted Best Practices contribute to overcoming such barriers, but collaboratively developing user-friendly Best Practices can be challenging. Here we describe the process undertaken by the NSF-funded OOI Biogeochemical Sensor Data Working Group to develop Best Practices for creating science-ready biogeochemical data products from OOI data, culminating in the publication of the GOOS-endorsed OOI Biogeochemical Sensor Data Best Practices and User Guide. For Best Practices related to ocean observatories, engaging observatory staff is crucial, but having a “user-defined” process ensures the final product addresses user needs. Our process prioritized bringing together a diverse team and creating an inclusive environment where all participants could effectively contribute. Incorporating the perspectives of a wide range of experts and prospective end users through an iterative review process that included “Beta Testers’’ enabled us to produce a final product that combines technical information with a user-friendly structure that illustrates data analysis pipelines via flowcharts and worked examples accompanied by pseudo-code. Our process and its impact on improving the accessibility and utility of the end product provides a roadmap for other groups undertaking similar community-driven activities to develop and disseminate new Ocean Best Practices.